On Thursday, Peter Obi – the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) – told Arise Television’s Prime Time that he left “enough money in the coffers of Anambra State to clear any outstanding debt.” The comment was made in response to allegations raised by the state’s governor, Chukwuma Soludo.
Governor Soludo’s administration has claimed that the state is still repaying loans taken by previous governments, including those of former governors Peter Obi and Willie Obiano. The accusations suggest that Obi secured several loans while he served as governor of Anambra.
During the interview, Obi countered the claims, using a simple analogy: “Assuming your father left you N100 million and someone says he owed N10 million, will you go to the market and say he left you with debt? That would be unfair.” He argued that the state’s finances should be judged on the net balance rather than isolated liabilities.
Obi further asserted that even if any debt existed, “there was enough left to pay it, and the state (Anambra) would still be financially stable.” His remarks imply that the state’s treasury holds sufficient reserves to meet any obligations incurred by former administrations.
Anambra State, located in southeastern Nigeria, is a key commercial hub and has been the focus of political scrutiny as the nation approaches the upcoming presidential election.
<small>Source: Daily Post Nigeria — read the original story there.</small>
