Anambra Debt: APC Council Demands Obi’s Resignation From 2027 Race

The All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign Council has called on the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, to resign from the 2027 presidential race over alleged debts incurred during his tenure as governor of Anambra State.

The council, in a statement signed by its spokesman, Dele Alake, on Monday, accused the former governor of misrepresenting his administration’s financial record and challenged him to honour his reported promise to withdraw from the presidential race if it was established that he left behind a debt burden in the state.

The council’s demand followed disclosures attributed to the Anambra State Government regarding the finances of the state during Obi’s eight-year tenure.

According to the APC campaign council, the state government disclosed that Obi spent approximately $4.05bn, equivalent to N5.4tn, during his time in office and contracted $123.77m in external loans.

It further claimed that eight external borrowings for projects covering malaria control, erosion management, education and healthcare remained in place when Obi left office on March 17, 2014.

The council alleged that subsequent administrations, including that of the incumbent governor, Chukwuma Soludo, continued to service the loans.

The APC body argued that borrowing for development was not inherently wrong but questioned the financial record of a former governor who had consistently presented himself as fiscally prudent.

“Just as Obi promised to quit the presidential race if it was proven that he left a debt burden for Anambra State, the letter revealed that Obi had similarly promised Anambra people during his campaign that he would resign as governor if there is any case where workers are not paid as and when due,” the statement said.

The council also raised allegations of unpaid salaries during Obi’s administration, citing a memo dated April 25, 2006, from his then Chief of Staff, Chuks Ileogbunam.

According to the statement, the memo appealed to Obi to pay N15m in monthly salaries owed to workers of the Anambra Water Corporation to prevent protests at the Governor’s Office.

The council used the memo to question Obi’s reported commitment to ensuring the prompt payment of workers’ salaries.

It further accused the former governor of leaving his successors with arrears to clear, although the statement did not provide a detailed breakdown of the alleged outstanding liabilities.

The APC campaign council also criticised Obi over his recent solidarity visit to an individual facing an Economic and Financial Crimes Commission trial, describing the visit as a matter of concern for his supporters.

The council urged Obi to seek forgiveness from the people of Anambra State and withdraw from the 2027 presidential contest.

“Indeed, if Peter Obi has any honour, he must resign from the 2027 presidential race forthwith, in keeping with his promise to end his run if it is proven that his administration left behind liabilities in Anambra,” Alake said.