ABUJA — A politician and ally of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, Engr. Anselm Ijebor, has challenged Anambra State Governor Chukwuma Soludo to provide documentary evidence to support claims that the administration of former Governor Peter Obi left outstanding debts and other liabilities.

Ijebor, who spoke against what he described as renewed criticism of Obi by the Soludo administration, said the claims could only be properly established through the disclosure and independent examination of relevant financial records.

The Anambra State Government recently released details of loans it said were contracted during Obi’s tenure, claiming that eight external loans remained outstanding and that their combined balance stood at about N127.4 billion as of June 30, 2026. The state also disputed Obi’s claim concerning funds allegedly set aside for the Oko and Umuchiana erosion project.

Obi has denied leaving Anambra with outstanding debts when he left office and has challenged the Soludo administration to prove otherwise.

Reacting to the controversy, Ijebor argued that the existence of outstanding balances on long-term development loans did not, by itself, establish financial recklessness by the administration that contracted 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 also criticised Soludo over what he described as repeated attacks on Obi, arguing that the former governor was no longer involved in the Anambra governorship contest.

“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 said.

Ijebor urged Soludo to concentrate on the administration of the state and build on existing infrastructure and development initiatives.

“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,” he said.

On the latest debt controversy, Ijebor said Obi had provided details of the account where he claimed funds for an ecological project were kept and had challenged the state government to produce contrary evidence.

He also commended Obi for inviting educational institutions he attended to release his academic records and certificates, describing the move as an indication of his willingness to subject his claims to verification.

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

He urged Soludo to accept Obi’s challenge and focus on governing the state rather than engaging in what he described as unnecessary political exchanges.

“Soludo should be very careful. If you want to climb your political ladder, go ahead and leave Peter Obi alone,” Ijebor said.

The Anambra State Government, however, has maintained that the loans were contracted during previous administrations and that the current administration was servicing inherited obligations. The state government said the loans were obtained for projects including healthcare, education, malaria control and erosion management, and maintained that borrowing for legitimate development projects was not itself the issue.

The controversy over Anambra’s financial records has continued with competing claims by the state government and Obi over the meaning of the state’s debt obligations and the financial position inherited by successive administrations.