By BONIFACE AKARAH

Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) Presidential Candidate in the 2027 election, Mr. Peter Obi, has broken his silence over the controversy surrounding the state's alleged debt, insisting that he did not borrow funds or issue any bond on behalf of the state while he was governor.

Obi, in a statement issued after days of silence which he attributed to the death of his elder brother and friend, Chief Okey Ezeibe, also urged governors across the country to allow all presidential candidates to campaign freely in their states, saying voters should ultimately decide whom they want to govern them.

"I have no disagreement with my dear elder brother, Governor Soludo, or with any governor in Nigeria," Obi said, adding that he was not seeking the governorship of any state and would not seek the position again, even if the Constitution was amended.

Addressing the controversy over multilateral funding described as "debt owed by Peter Obi" in Anambra State, the former governor said the funds in question were mainly development-support facilities secured by the Federal Government for selected states through the World Bank and International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD).

"As Governor of Anambra State, I did not approach any financial institution to borrow funds or issue a bond on behalf of the state," Obi stated.

He cited the then Director-General of the Debt Management Office (DMO), Abraham Nwankwo, who, according to Obi, declared at his farewell ceremony that he was the only state governor during Nwankwo's 10-year tenure who had not approached the DMO for a loan facility.

Obi also maintained that he left office on March 17, 2014, without unpaid salaries, gratuities or pensions, and without owing contractors or suppliers whose completed work had been verified and certified by the government.

On the multilateral development facilities, Obi said the Anambra State Government needed to distinguish between the total amount approved for a multi-year programme, the amount actually drawn during his tenure and the outstanding balance when he handed over.

He alleged that the three figures had been combined by the state government and presented as US$123.77 million in "loans left by Peter Obi."

"That is an incorrect application of public-sector accounting," he said.

According to Obi, the eight facilities cited by the state were primarily World Bank and IFAD development programmes negotiated by the Federal Government, with participating states accessing the funds through subsidiary arrangements.

He stressed, however, that this did not mean Anambra had no repayment obligations, arguing that each facility should be examined based on its approval, effectiveness, drawdown and repayment records.

Obi further questioned the figures attributed to Anambra's external debt, saying the DMO's published records showed the state's external debt at approximately US$18 million in March 2006, when he assumed office, about US$30 million in March 2014, when he left, and approximately US$45.15 million as of December 31, 2014.

"The Anambra State Government must therefore clarify how a state whose recorded external debt was about US$30 million in March 2014 and US$45.15 million in December 2014 could supposedly have inherited US$123.77 million from Peter Obi," he said.

Obi also claimed that he left more than US$150 million** as the dollar component of his investment in Anambra State and said documents relating to the funds could be verified with the relevant banks.

According to him, the investment was expected to generate about US$10 million annually for the state if it had remained untouched.

"Had they retained the funds I left in the bank, including the compound interest on the principal and the additional income, the total would be approximately US$335 million today," Obi stated.

He argued that, even if the state's assertion of a US$123 million debt were correct, the alleged US$10 million annual income from the funds could have been used to repay it over the 13 years since he left office.

Obi said he remained convinced that he handed over Anambra State in a strong financial position.

"Let me reiterate that, when I left office, I left Anambra State in a strong financial position—the strongest of any state in Nigeria—and I stand by that position," he said.

The former governor said he would not engage in further exchanges over his tenure in Anambra, adding that his attention would remain on issues affecting Nigerians.

He also urged state governors to support whichever presidential candidates they choose while allowing other candidates and contenders for elective offices to campaign freely.

"Ultimately, voters should be allowed to determine whom they wish to serve them," Obi said.