The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has dismissed claims that he left Anambra State with $123 million in debt, insisting that he handed over the state in a strong financial position with more than $150 million in funds.
Recall that the Anambra State government has, in recent times insisted Obi left the state with huge financial debt that they are still clearing. Obi denied the claim and dared them to back it with evidence, and if true, he will quit his presidential campaign. The state government has rolled out several statements with figures claiming he left the state with $123 million debt.
Speaking in an exclusive interview on Arise News on Thursday night, September 24, the former Anambra State governor dismissed the allegation, arguing the allegation was “very wrong public accounting.”
“Assuming—let me even assume that Anambra State was right, even though it’s false, I did not leave $123 million—let me assume the worst-case scenario: that there was $123.7 million owed as of the time I left. I left over $150 million that was earning about $10 million annually. If they had just kept that money I left and used the income to pay the loan, they would have finished paying it now, with the $150 million capital still remaining and still giving Anambra State $10 million annually.
How it is now bundled that as of the time I left office, I left $123-something million is very wrong public accounting,” he said.
He further stated that during his time as governor, he did not approach any financial institution to borrow money or issue bonds on behalf of Anambra State, adding that his administration did not owe salaries, gratuities, pensions or verified and certified contractors.
He stated that he has no ill feelings towards Governor Soludo who he described as his brother.
