The Anambra State Government recently released what it described as public debt records linked to previous administrations, alleging that eight external loans associated with projects during Peter Obi’s tenure remained outstanding. The government said the outstanding balance stood at about $92.35 million, equivalent to approximately ₦127.4 billion as of June 30, 2026.

The government, through Commissioner for Information and Value Reorientation Law Mefor, also said the loans were connected to projects covering areas including healthcare, agriculture, education and erosion control.

Obi Releases Handover Document

In response, Peter Obi released his handover document, dated March 17, 2014, when he left office as governor.

The document, made public by the Interim National Coordinator of the Obedient Movement, Dr Yinusa Tanko, showed what was described as Anambra State’s financial position at the close of Obi’s administration, including a net positive balance of more than ₦86 billion.

Obi has maintained that he did not leave behind unpaid salaries, pensions, gratuities or certified obligations to contractors. He has challenged the Anambra government to provide documentary evidence supporting its claims.

At the centre of the disagreement are questions over which loans were incurred by which administration, when they were disbursed, how much was repaid and what balances remained at different points in time.

The Soludo administration's documents focus on outstanding loan balances recorded in current debt records, while Obi's handover document is being presented by his camp as evidence of the state's financial position when he left office.

The competing documents have therefore shifted the debate from political statements to questions about the underlying loan agreements, repayment records, bank statements and audited financial documents.

The Bigger Picture

The disagreement comes as Peter Obi remains a prominent political figure ahead of Nigeria's 2027 presidential election, adding political significance to the debate over his record as Anambra governor.