ANAMBRA DEBT SAGA: IJEBOR CHALLENGES SOLUDO TO PRODUCE PROOF AGAINST OBI

 ‘Publish Loan Agreements, Repayment Records, Bank Statements’ — NDC Ally

By Ogbu Ajah 

Frontline politician and ally of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Engr. Anselm Ijebor, has challenged Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, to publish documentary evidence supporting the state government’s claims that the administration of former Governor Peter Obi left behind outstanding debts and other financial liabilities.

Ijebor, reacting to what he described as the Soludo administration’s renewed criticism of Obi’s financial record, said the controversy could only be properly resolved through the disclosure and independent examination of the relevant financial documents.

Engr. Anselm Ijebor challenged Anambra State to provide proof.

The Anambra State Government had published records which it said showed that eight external loans contracted during Obi’s tenure remained outstanding, with their combined balance put at about N127.4 billion as of June 30, 2026. The government also disputed Obi’s claim that N2.13 billion was left in a First Bank account for the Oko and Umuchiana erosion-control project.

But Ijebor argued that the existence of outstanding balances on long-term development facilities did not, by itself, establish financial recklessness by the administration that obtained them.

“The Anambra State Government itself acknowledges that debt for bankable projects and human capital development can be justified. That distinction is important,” he said.

Ijebor called on the state government to publish the original loan agreements, dates of disbursement, repayment schedules, tenure and conditions attached to the facilities.

“You cannot simply take an outstanding balance many years later, attach it to the name of a former governor and expect that alone to settle the question of whether his administration was fiscally responsible,” he stated.

‘Show Proof On N2.13bn Ecological Fund’

On the disputed N2.13 billion ecological fund, Ijebor said the matter should be straightforward to establish because Obi had identified a specific First Bank account where he said the money was kept for the erosion-control project.

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He noted that Obi had challenged anyone disputing his claim to produce contrary evidence, adding that the former governor had even indicated his willingness to stop campaigning if the allegation was proven against him.

Ijebor also praised Obi for asking educational institutions he attended to release his academic records and certificates, describing the move as an example of transparency in public life.

“How many governors or politicians can come out and say this? This is what I have always loved about Obi,” he said.

‘Soludo Should Focus On Anambra’

Ijebor further criticised what he described as Soludo’s repeated attacks on Obi, arguing that the former governor was no longer contesting for the Anambra governorship.

“Your attacks on Peter Obi are becoming difficult to understand. He did not hand over to you, and he is not contesting Anambra governorship with you. Yet, each time you come at him, you give him another opportunity to defend his record with clean facts,” he stated.

According to Ijebor, Obi’s political focus has moved beyond Anambra, urging Soludo to concentrate on the development of the state.

“

Peter Obi is no longer in your political league. His contest is national. Please focus on Anambra. Build. Deliver. Let your performance speak for you and your administration, a legacy Peter Obi left behind in Anambra State for others to emulate,” he said

.

He also cautioned Soludo against what he described as using state resources for publicity aimed at attacking his predecessor.

“If you want to climb your political ladder, go ahead and leave Peter Obi alone,” Ijebor stated.

Ijebor further alleged that Soludo’s frequent attacks on Obi could amount to “de-marketing himself” politically, urging the governor to focus on governance and allow his record in office to speak for him.

He maintained that the debt controversy would be better settled through publicly available records rather than political exchanges, insisting that the state government should provide the documents supporting its claims.