The Presidency has challenged Nigeria Democratic Congress presidential candidate Peter Obi over his claim that he left Anambra State without debt, after the state government released records it says show liabilities dating from his tenure as governor.
Presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga said Obi had previously indicated he would reconsider his 2027 presidential bid if evidence emerged contradicting his claims about his record in office.
Onanuga argued that documents released by the Anambra State Government now placed that challenge before the former governor.
The claims are politically contested and have not been independently adjudicated in the material supplied.
Anambra Commissioner for Information and Value Reformation Law Mefor said the state had records showing external loans, pension obligations, gratuities and other liabilities linked to Obi’s period in office.
The government said eight external borrowing facilities from that period remained on the books and that the outstanding balance stood at about N127.4 billion as of June 30, 2026.
It also said the current administration was continuing to service those obligations.
The state government argued that debt should not automatically be treated as evidence of poor governance because borrowing can be justified where funds are used for productive infrastructure and human-capital development.
However, it disputed Obi’s claim that his administration left a completely clean balance sheet.
The government also accused the former governor of leaving unpaid obligations to retired teachers and staff of the Water Corporation.
Those assertions are allegations by the current state administration and would require full documentary review and response from Obi before they could be treated as conclusively established.
The statement also criticised aspects of public infrastructure, healthcare, education and water services during Obi’s tenure.
Obi has historically defended his record in Anambra by pointing to savings, fiscal discipline and investments made during his administration.
The renewed dispute is therefore likely to become part of the wider 2027 campaign debate over his record as governor.
A responsible assessment would require examination of audited state accounts, Debt Management Office records, loan agreements, pension liabilities and any formal response from Obi or his campaign.
