The All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign Council (APC-PCC) has called on Nigeria Democratic Congress presidential candidate Peter Obi to withdraw from the 2027 presidential race, citing recent claims by the Anambra State Government about debts and liabilities linked to his tenure as governor.
In a statement dated September 21 and signed by its spokesman, Dele Alake, the campaign council accused Obi of misrepresenting his financial record in Anambra and argued that the latest disclosures contradicted his longstanding claims about fiscal prudence.
The dispute follows Obi’s challenge to the Anambra State Government to establish that his administration left unpaid debts, salaries, pensions or contractor liabilities when he left office in 2014. Obi said he would stop campaigning if evidence to the contrary was established.
The Anambra State Government subsequently released records which it said showed that eight external loans totalling about $123.77 million were contracted during Obi’s tenure, with an outstanding balance of about $92.35 million as of June 30, 2026. The loans were associated with projects covering malaria control, education, healthcare, erosion management and other development programmes.
The state government has said it is not opposed to borrowing for development but maintains that the records contradict Obi’s position on the liabilities he left behind. Obi, however, has maintained that he left office without outstanding salaries, pensions, gratuities or properly certified contractor obligations and says his administration cleared more than N35 billion in historical arrears.
Against that backdrop, the APC-PCC said Obi should honour the pledge he made when challenging the state government to substantiate its allegations.
“Indeed, if Peter Obi has any honour, he must resign from the 2027 presidential race forthwith, in keeping with his promise to end his run if it is proven that his administration left behind liabilities in Anambra,” Alake said.
The campaign council also cited the Anambra government’s claim that Obi’s administration spent about $4.05 billion over eight years while contracting the external loans.
It further alleged that Obi’s administration failed to pay some workers promptly, citing a memo dated April 25, 2006, which it said was written by then Chief of Staff Chuks Ileogbunam regarding salaries owed to Anambra State Water Corporation workers.
According to the APC-PCC, the memo appealed to Obi to approve N15 million in monthly salary payments to prevent workers from protesting over unpaid wages.
The council quoted the memo as saying: “Since it is your excellency’s unchanging desire to achieve a better future for our children and children’s children, please, Sir, bear in mind that officials of the Water Corporation also have children who are looking to your compassionate leadership.”
The APC-PCC argued that the episode contradicted a campaign promise it attributed to Obi to resign as governor if workers were not paid when due.
It also criticised Obi over a recent solidarity visit to an unnamed individual facing trial by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, alleging that the case involved unexplained wealth and corruption. The statement did not identify the individual or provide further details about the case.
The campaign council described Obi’s record in strongly critical terms and urged him to apologise to the people of Anambra rather than continue his presidential campaign.
The broader dispute over Obi’s record remains contested. While the Anambra government says external loan records demonstrate liabilities associated with his administration, Obi maintains that he left the state without unpaid salaries, pensions, gratuities or contractor debts and has challenged his critics to establish otherwise.
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