Anambra releases salary arrears document, tells Obi to quit presidential race

The Anambra State Government has challenged former Governor Peter Obi to quit the 2027 presidential race, alleging that he broke promises on workers’ salaries and the state’s debt position.

The state New Media Office, in a post on X on Tuesday, asked, “When will Peter Obi quit presidential campaign?” It recalled Obi’s reported pledge to withdraw from the race if it was proven that he left Anambra in debt.

The government also released a 2006 letter allegedly signed by Obi’s then Chief of Staff, Chuks Iloegbunam, appealing for the payment of salary arrears owed to Water Corporation workers.

The letter stated that the workers, whose monthly wage bill was about N15m, had last received salaries in February. It also referenced Obi’s campaign pledge to resign if workers were not paid as and when due.

The development is part of an ongoing dispute over Obi’s financial record as governor. The state government previously alleged that eight external loans contracted during his administration had an outstanding balance of N127.4bn as of June 30, 2026. (Punch Newspapers)

Obi has rejected the allegations, maintaining that his administration cleared more than N35bn in inherited gratuities and arrears and left office without outstanding salaries, pensions, gratuities or contractor liabilities. (Punch Newspapers)

The government’s latest claims have not been independently established, while PUNCH said it could not immediately verify the 2006 letter or obtain Iloegbunam’s response. (Punch Newspapers)