Obi Challenges Anambra Government Over ‘Phantom Debts’, Ecological Fund Claims
By Matthew Eloyi
Former Anambra State Governor and presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, has challenged the Anambra State Government to substantiate claims that his administration left behind inherited debts, including a ₦2 billion ecological fund, contractor liabilities and unpaid salaries, gratuities and pensions.
Obi, in a statement posted on his Facebook page, described the allegations as “completely false”, insisting that his administration left the state without outstanding liabilities in the areas cited.
He said his administration had systematically cleared historical gratuities and arrears accumulated over several years, with payments exceeding ₦35 billion.
According to him, at the time he handed over power, the state government owed nothing in salaries, gratuities or pensions, while contractors whose projects had been duly executed and certified had also been paid.
Addressing specifically the claim concerning the ₦2 billion ecological fund, Obi said the money was released by the Federal Government about three months before the end of his tenure to address the Oko/Umuchiana erosion crisis.
He said he deliberately declined pressure to spend the money before leaving office, arguing that it should be preserved for his successor because government was a continuum and the funds were earmarked for a specific project.
“The money was therefore left 100 per cent intact in First Bank, in Account No. 2018779464, with a balance of over ₦2.13 billion,” he said.
Obi further explained that funds earmarked for specific projects or purposes were excluded from the more than ₦75 billion in savings he claimed his administration left behind.
He maintained that the ecological fund should therefore not be presented as a debt or liability inherited by the succeeding administration.
The former governor challenged the state government and anyone making contrary claims to provide evidence to substantiate them.
“If anybody can establish anything to the contrary, I will stop campaigning,” Obi declared.
His comments come amid renewed debate over the financial position inherited by successive administrations in Anambra State and the management of public funds earmarked for ecological and other infrastructure projects.
