Okonkwo revises earlier defence of Obi over Anambra finances
ADC chieftain Kenneth Okonkwo says he was misled when he previously denied that Peter Obi left debts or unpaid obligations after governing Anambra. He now cites claims by the state government about loans and arrears, while Obi disputes the classification of financing as debt left by his administration.
African Democratic Congress chieftain Kenneth Okonkwo has withdrawn from some claims he made in 2023 defending former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi’s financial record. Okonkwo, who was Obi’s presidential campaign spokesman in 2023, said on Sunday that he had been misled after new information emerged. He made the comments on Television Continental’s Sunday Politics programme.
During the earlier campaign, Okonkwo told Nigerians that Obi had left no debt, unpaid salaries, pensions or gratuities. He now says he cannot repeat those claims after disclosures by the Anambra State Government. According to Okonkwo, the state government said Obi’s administration obtained eight loans and that workers at the state-owned water corporation were owed salaries and arrears.
The state has said the facilities had a combined contracted value of $123.77m, with $92.35m outstanding as of June 30, 2026. Obi rejects describing the full figure as debt left behind, saying it combines different categories of multilateral development financing. Obi has also cited Debt Management Office figures putting Anambra’s external debt at about $30m when he left office in March 2014.
Okonkwo said his role in the 2027 election would differ from his role in 2023, describing it as a cross-examination rather than an examination in chief.
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