Obi Questions His Safety Before 2027, Rejects Claims Over Anambra Debts
Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has raised concerns about his safety ahead of the 2027 general elections, saying he is uncertain he will be alive when Nigerians go to the polls.
Obi spoke during an interview on Arise TV on Thursday, where he also addressed claims concerning loans and financial obligations linked to his tenure as governor of Anambra State.
The former governor said he had been petitioned and investigated in different places, adding that he was unsure of what could happen to him before the election.
He said he was relying on God for protection and called on political leaders to ensure a peaceful environment ahead of the 2027 polls.
Obi also appealed to governors to allow presidential candidates and other political aspirants to campaign freely, saying voters should be given the opportunity to decide who they want to govern them.
According to him, governors have the right to support candidates of their choice but should also provide room for other candidates to campaign.
He recalled his time as Anambra governor, saying politicians from other parties were allowed to campaign in the state even when they were supporting his opponents.
Turning to the financial issues surrounding his tenure, Obi rejected claims that he left Anambra with unpaid obligations to workers, contractors or suppliers whose projects had been completed and verified.
He maintained that he did not approach any financial institution to borrow money or issue bonds on behalf of Anambra State during his eight years in office.
Obi said that when he handed over power, the state was not owing salaries, gratuities or pensions that were due for payment by the state government.
He also maintained that contractors and suppliers who had completed their jobs and whose work had been certified and verified were not owed by his administration.
The former governor explained that an unfinished project could not be regarded as an outstanding debt to a contractor until the work had been completed, verified and certified in accordance with the terms of the contract.
His comments come amid continuing disagreements over loans and other liabilities associated with his administration.
Obi said he did not regard the issue as a personal disagreement with the incumbent Anambra State Governor, Chukwuma Soludo, whom he described as the governor of his state.
He maintained that the financial records of his administration could be examined to establish the state of Anambra’s finances when he left office.
Obi further urged political leaders to focus on the hardship facing Nigerians rather than allowing political disagreements to become distractions ahead of the 2027 election.
He said the priority should be creating an environment where candidates can campaign peacefully and Nigerians can freely make their choice at the polls.
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