Anambra Govt Challenges Obi To Quit 2027 Presidential Race

The Anambra State Government has challenged former governor Peter Obi to withdraw from the 2027 presidential race, accusing him of breaking campaign promises on the state’s debt and timely payment of workers’ salaries.

In a statement posted on its official X account on Tuesday, the state’s New Media Office asked, “When will Peter Obi quit presidential campaign?”

The government recalled that Obi had pledged to quit the presidential race if it was proven that he left Anambra in debt.

It also recalled that while serving as governor, Obi had pledged to resign if workers were not paid as and when due.

The state government said both promises had been broken, alleging that Obi left office in 2014 with outstanding liabilities.

As evidence of the salary claim, the government released a letter dated April 25, 2006, allegedly signed by Chuks Iloegbunam, then Obi’s Chief of Staff, appealing for the payment of salary arrears owed to workers of the Anambra State Water Corporation.

The letter said the corporation’s monthly salary bill was about 15 million naira and that its workers had last been paid in February.

It also referred to Obi’s campaign manifesto, which reportedly pledged that the governor would resign if workers were not paid as and when due.

The state government further alleged that eight external borrowings contracted during Obi’s administration remained outstanding, with the balance put at 127.4 billion naira as of June 30, 2026, at the official exchange rate.

However, Obi has rejected the allegations, maintaining that his administration cleared more than 35 billion naira in historical gratuities and arrears and left office without outstanding salaries, pensions, gratuities or certified contractor liabilities.

READ ALSO: Peter Obi’s Loans Still Being Serviced By Anambra Allocation, Information Commissioner Insists

Obi also said he would stop campaigning if anyone could establish that he left Anambra with outstanding debts or contractor liabilities.

The former governor separately claimed that more than 2.13 billion naira meant for an erosion-control project was left untouched in a First Bank account when he left office.

The Anambra Government has disputed that claim, saying the account cited by Obi was an Internally Generated Revenue Consolidated Revenue Account and that its records did not show the alleged 2.13 billion naira balance.

The dispute has intensified ahead of the 2027 presidential election, with the Presidency and the APC Presidential Campaign Council also challenging Obi to honour his pledge in response to the state government’s allegations.

Obi’s representatives have maintained that his former administration will respond to the issues raised by the Anambra State Government.