Anambra Debt: Onanuga Challenges Obi To Quit 2027 Race Over Claims

Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, has challenged former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi to honour his pledge to quit the 2027 presidential race if claims that he left the state with outstanding debts are proven.

Onanuga made the challenge in a post on X on Wednesday, following fresh claims by the Anambra State Government about outstanding liabilities allegedly linked to Obi’s administration.

“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 state government had now presented what it described as facts and figures showing outstanding obligations to Water Corporation workers, teachers, pensioners and beneficiaries of gratuities.

Onanuga also accused the former governor of borrowing for what he described as “frivolous things”.

“The ball is back in his court. Will he follow through on his threat by quitting the race?” he asked.

The Anambra Government has said eight external loans linked to projects implemented during or inherited by the Obi administration had a combined outstanding balance of $92.35 million, equivalent to ₦127.37 billion, as of June 30, 2026.

The loans relate to projects covering malaria control, erosion management, healthcare, education, community development and agricultural value-chain development.

The state government has also alleged that unpaid salary, pension and gratuity obligations remained after Obi left office.

Obi, however, has rejected the allegations, saying his administration cleared more than ₦35 billion in inherited pension and gratuity arrears and left no unpaid salaries, pensions, gratuities or certified obligations to contractors when he left office.

The dispute has continued to centre on the financial position of Anambra at the end of Obi’s tenure, with the former governor challenging the state government to substantiate its claims.

Onanuga’s latest intervention has now turned the controversy into a political challenge, asking whether Obi will act on his previously stated condition concerning his 2027 presidential bid.