Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, Peter Obi, has released his 2014 handover document in response to claims by the Anambra State Government that his administration left behind outstanding loans and other financial liabilities.
The document, dated March 17, 2014, was published on Wednesday by the Interim National Coordinator of the Obedient Movement, Dr Yunusa Tanko. It contains a summary of Anambra State’s financial position as of the close of business on March 14, 2014, when Obi handed over to his successor, Willie Obiano.
According to the document released by Obi’s camp, the state had a net positive financial balance of more than ₦86 billion at the end of his administration.
The publication came amid a growing dispute between Obi and the administration of Governor Chukwuma Soludo over the financial obligations inherited by successive governments in the state.
How the dispute started
The controversy followed comments by Anambra State Commissioner for Finance, Izuchukwu Okafor, who said the state government was still servicing loans obtained by previous administrations, including those associated with Obi and former Governor Willie Obiano.
Okafor made the disclosure while appearing on the Ndi Anambra podcast released by the state government’s New Media team.
He said the inherited loans remained part of the state’s financial commitments, although the Soludo administration had not obtained fresh commercial bank loans since taking office.
Obi subsequently rejected the claims and challenged the state government to provide evidence that his administration left unpaid financial obligations. He also said he would discontinue his 2027 presidential campaign if the allegations against him were substantiated.
Anambra Government releases loan figures
The state government later disputed Obi’s position through a statement by the Commissioner for Information and Value Reorientation, Law Mefor.
Mefor said records from the Debt Management Office showed that eight external loans associated with projects implemented during Obi’s tenure remained outstanding.
According to the state government, the loans were originally valued at about $123.77 million, with an outstanding balance of $92.35 million as of June 30, 2026. The state put the naira equivalent at approximately ₦127.37 billion.
The loans were reportedly linked to projects covering areas including malaria control, healthcare, education, erosion management, community development and agricultural value-chain development.
The government also disputed Obi’s claims concerning the payment of salaries, pensions, gratuities and other financial obligations before he left office.
Obi's handover document
Obi’s camp, however, has now presented the handover document as part of its response to the government's allegations.
The document provides a snapshot of the state’s reported financial position at the end of Obi’s tenure and records a positive balance of more than ₦86 billion.
The release has added a new dimension to the disagreement, with the two sides presenting different records and interpretations of Anambra’s financial position at the end of Obi’s administration.
The controversy remains centred on whether the loans cited by the state government should be regarded as liabilities left by Obi’s administration and how those obligations were reflected in the financial position documented at the time of the 2014 handover.
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