Former Anambra State governor Peter Obi has publicly refuted statements made by the state’s Commissioner for Finance, Izuchukwu Okafor, that the Soludo administration is still repaying loans and other debts incurred during Obi’s tenure and those of earlier governors.
Okafor told reporters that the current government continues to service financial obligations that originated under Obi’s administration, suggesting that the former governor left the state with a burden of outstanding loans.
Obi responded by saying that his government settled all legitimate liabilities before handing over power and that the state’s finances were left in a strong position. He outlined the projects completed and the fiscal surplus recorded at the end of his term, arguing that the present debt does not stem from his administration.
Anambra, a southeastern state of Nigeria with a population of over six million, elected Charles Soludo as governor in 2022, succeeding Obi. The state’s finances have become a focal point of political debate as the new administration seeks to manage ongoing development programmes.
The exchange highlights the continuing rivalry between the former and current leadership, with both sides emphasizing their respective records on fiscal responsibility. Further clarification from the state treasury may be required to resolve the differing accounts of Anambra’s debt profile.
<small>Source: Premium Times Nigeria — read the original story there.</small>
