$156m Peter Obi Left in Anambra Coffers Enough to Clear Alleged N127bn Debts — Rufai Oseni

Arise News anchor Rufai Oseni has weighed into the ongoing dispute over the financial records of former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi, questioning how the state could have outstanding liabilities despite a reported $156 million foreign currency balance at the end of Obi’s tenure.

Oseni was reacting to documents released amid a growing disagreement between Obi and the Anambra State Government over loans, arrears and financial obligations allegedly inherited by successive administrations.

A 2014 handover document attributed to Obi showed that Anambra had foreign currency investments valued at $156 million, alongside local investments and other balances. The document recorded a net financial balance of about N86.67 billion after estimated liabilities were deducted.

The Anambra State Government, however, has maintained that eight external loans associated with Obi’s administration remained outstanding. The state said the balance of the loans stood at about N127.4 billion as of June 30, 2026, when converted at the official exchange rate.

Oseni argued that the reported $156 million could have been sufficient to address the liabilities being discussed, depending on the actual value and status of the funds at handover.

The broadcaster’s comments have added another dimension to a politically charged dispute that has attracted responses from Obi’s camp, the Anambra Government and the Presidency.

Obi has consistently rejected claims that he left significant unpaid obligations, saying his administration cleared more than N35 billion in historical gratuities and arrears. He has also maintained that salaries, pensions and gratuities were settled before he left office.

He separately said more than N2.13 billion intended for an erosion-control project remained untouched in a First Bank account and disputed claims concerning loans and other liabilities.

The state government has challenged several of those claims. Commissioner for Information Law Mefor said deductions were still being made from Anambra’s federal allocations to service loans attributed to the former administration.

Mefor also disputed Obi’s description of the First Bank account, saying government records showed it was an Internally Generated Revenue Consolidated Revenue Account rather than an ecological fund account.

The controversy has intensified as Obi prepares for the 2027 presidential election. He has challenged those disputing his record to produce evidence and said he would stop campaigning if it were established that he left the state with outstanding debts.

The competing claims remain subject to documentary verification and further responses from the parties involved.