The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has denied borrowing money or issuing bonds on behalf of Anambra State during his eight-year tenure as governor.
Obi made the clarification amid his ongoing disagreement with the state’s incumbent governor, Chukwuma Soludo, over claims concerning debts and unpaid gratuities allegedly inherited from the previous administration.
Speaking on Arise Television’s Prime Time on Thursday night, the former governor maintained that he never sought funding from any bank or financial institution for the state government throughout his time in office.
“Let me categorically say again, I, Mr Peter Obi, didn’t approach any financial institution to borrow money or issue bonds on behalf of Anambra State in the eight years I was in government.
“On the day I left office, I was not owing any salary, gratuity or pension that was scheduled to be paid by the government.
“We are not owing any contractor or supplier who has executed his job, certified and verified, not one. And that is the way I left.”
Obi’s comments come against the backdrop of the renewed exchange between him and Soludo over the financial position of Anambra State at the time he handed over power, with both sides presenting differing accounts of the state’s obligations.
