The All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council has called on former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi to withdraw from the 2027 presidential election following fresh claims over loans linked to his administration.
The council made the demand in a statement issued on Monday by its spokesperson, Dele Alake, amid an ongoing dispute between Obi and the Anambra State Government over the financial position of the state when he left office in 2014.
The controversy followed the release of loan records by the Anambra State Government, which said eight external loan facilities obtained during Obi’s tenure had an original value of $123.77 million.
According to the state government, $92.35 million, equivalent to about ₦127.37 billion based on the exchange rate used in its calculation, remained outstanding as of June 30, 2026.
The loans were linked to projects covering areas such as education, healthcare, malaria control, erosion management, agriculture and community development. The state government also said successive administrations had continued to service the facilities.
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Obi has rejected the claim that he left Anambra with unpaid debts.
The former governor said he handed over the state without outstanding salaries, pensions, gratuities or payments owed to contractors for completed and certified projects.
He also challenged the Anambra government to provide evidence supporting its claims and said he was prepared to end his presidential ambition if it could establish that he left the state with such liabilities.
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The APC campaign council, however, said the latest figures released by the Anambra government contradicted Obi’s position.
Alake argued that borrowing by a government was not necessarily wrong when the money was used for development, but questioned Obi’s previous claims about leaving Anambra without a debt burden.
The council also raised allegations concerning unpaid workers during Obi’s tenure. It referred to a 2006 memo reportedly written by Chuks Ileogbunam, who was then Obi’s chief of staff, seeking the release of ₦15 million to pay workers of the Anambra State Water Corporation.
According to the APC council, the request followed complaints from workers over unpaid salaries.
The council further accused Obi of making a similar pledge during his campaign for governor, when he reportedly promised to leave office if workers were not paid as and when due.
Alake therefore argued that Obi should apply the same condition to his current presidential campaign if the debt claims against his administration are established.
The APC campaign council also questioned Obi’s recent political activities and his association with other politicians facing corruption-related allegations.
“Just as Obi promised to quit the presidential race if it was proven that he left a debt burden for Anambra State, the letter revealed that Obi had similarly promised Anambra people during his campaign that he would resign as governor “if there is any case where workers are not paid as and when due.” Of course, he never meant to. He only deceived people into voting for him. When he left office in 2014, he left his successors with heavier arrears to clear,” the statement reads.
“We advise Obi to purge himself of his lies and seek the forgiveness of the Anambra people instead of galloping around platforms, parroting inanities. What should even be more concerning for Obi’s followers is Obi’s recent solidarity visit to someone facing an EFCC trial for unexplained wealth and monumental corruption.
“Indeed, if Peter Obi has any honour, he must resign from the 2027 presidential race forthwith, in keeping with his promise to end his run if it is proven that his administration left behind liabilities in Anambra.”
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