Obi has nowhere to hide over Anambra record, APC campaign council says
The All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign Council has accused the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, of misrepresenting his financial record as governor of Anambra State, particularly his claim that he left the state without a debt burden.
The council, in a statement signed by its spokesman, Dele Alake, on Monday, said disclosures by the Anambra State Government showed that Obi spent about $4.05bn, equivalent to N5.4tn, during his eight-year tenure and contracted $123.77m in external loans.
The statement followed Obi, a former governor of the state who had recently challenge to the Anambra State Government to verify his record as governor.
According to the council, the state government disclosed that eight external borrowings for malaria control, erosion management, education and healthcare were outstanding when Obi left office on March 17, 2014.
It said subsequent administrations, including that of Governor Chukwuma Soludo, continued to service the loans.
“Borrowing is not injudicious if used for development,” the council said, but questioned the borrowings in light of Obi’s repeated claim that he left Anambra without a debt burden.
The council also accused Obi of failing to pay workers’ salaries during his tenure, citing a 2006 memo by his then Chief of Staff, Chuks Ileogbunam, requesting payment of N15m monthly salaries owed to Water Corporation workers.
In the memo dated April 25, 2006, Ileogbunam reportedly appealed to Obi to settle the workers’ outstanding salaries to prevent protests at the Government House.
“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 memo stated.
