The Anambra State Government on 16 September, 2026, challenged claims made by former governor Peter Obi regarding his administration’s financial records, citing official figures that show unpaid foreign loans, lingering worker liabilities, and missing bank deposits.
The response came after Obi posted a viral statement titled “Phantom Debts and Ecological Loan Fallacy,” where he insisted he left no unpaid debts, contracts, or arrears and challenged anyone to prove otherwise.
Information Commissioner Dr. Law Mefor issued a press statement countering Obi’s assertion that his government cleared all inherited obligations and handed over a debt-free state.
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Disputed ecological fund and bank statements
Obi previously stated that he left over N2.13 billion untouched in First Bank account number 2018779464 at the UNIZIK branch in Awka to address the Oko/Umuchiana erosion crisis. He declared that if this claim proved false, he would step down from his 2027 presidential campaign.
However, the state government presented a certified printout of the account, revealing it is an Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) Consolidated Account rather than a dedicated ecological fund. The certified records show that from 2011 to date, no balance or deposit of N2.13 billion ever passed through the account. Mefor asked Obi to explain where the money was placed if it received the funds but never deposited them into the cited account.
The state government also rejected Obi’s repeated claim of leaving N75 billion in cash and investments for his successor, describing the figure as unsupported by official financial records.
Unpaid liabilities and external debt profile
The statement also disputed Obi’s claim of leaving zero arrears for workers. The following, according to official state records, were revealed.
Defunct Water Corporation staff: Salary arrears lingered throughout Obi’s eight-year tenure, resulting in court judgments. The current administration negotiated a settlement and paid the first two installments of a three-part payment.
Primary school teachers: Obi’s administration certified 16 months of inherited salary arrears from former Governor Mbadinuju’s era but cleared only five months before leaving office, leaving 11 months unpaid.
Foreign debt service: Records show Obi contracted $123.77 million in external debts across eight projects, including health, education, and erosion control. As of June 30, 2026, the remaining balance stands at N127.37 billion ($92.35 million), which the state continues to service monthly.
The state government said it has set up a committee under the Head of Service to finalise worker verifications to clear the remaining teacher salary arrears.
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