By Sunday Ameh
The Presidency has challenged the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, to withdraw from the 2027 presidential race if allegations that his administration left outstanding financial liabilities in Anambra State are proven.
The challenge was issued on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, amid an ongoing dispute between Obi and the Anambra State Government over the state’s finances.
Onanuga, in a post on X, recalled Obi’s reported claim that he left Anambra State without outstanding debts and had previously indicated that he would quit the presidential race if the claim was disproved.
“Peter Obi claimed he left Anambra with a clean slate of debt and even threatened to quit the presidential race if his claims were proven otherwise,” Onanuga wrote.
He said the Anambra State Government had now presented figures and records alleging that liabilities remained from Obi’s tenure as governor.
“Now, the Anambra government has confronted him with facts and figures showing he owed Water Corporation workers, teachers, and pension and gratuities, and had also borrowed for frivolous things,” he added.
“The ball is back in his court. Will he follow through on his threat by quitting the race?” Onanuga asked.
The development followed a fresh response by the Anambra State Government to Obi’s denial of allegations concerning debts, unpaid obligations and an ecological fund reportedly linked to his administration.
Anambra State Commissioner for Information and Value Reorientation, Law Mefor, said the state government had released records concerning loans and other liabilities it said were connected to previous administrations.
According to figures reported by multiple news outlets, the state government said eight external loans linked to projects implemented during or inherited by Obi’s administration had an outstanding balance of about $92.35 million, which it valued at approximately ₦127.37 billion as of June 30, 2026.
The state government also disputed Obi’s account of a ₦2.13 billion ecological fund, while raising questions over alleged salary, pension and gratuity obligations.
Obi has rejected the allegations. He has maintained that his administration cleared more than ₦35 billion in historical arrears and left office without outstanding salaries, pensions, gratuities or certified contractor debts. He also said the ecological fund was preserved for its intended purpose rather than spent by his administration.
The controversy has consequently developed into a dispute over the financial records inherited by successive administrations in Anambra State.
As of Wednesday, the Presidency’s challenge remains part of the wider political and financial disagreement, with the competing claims over the state’s debt and liabilities yet to be resolved between the parties.
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