Yunusa Tanko Defends Peter Obi as Anambra Debt Controversy Deepens

National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement, Yunusa Tanko, has defended former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi amid the ongoing dispute over the state’s debts and financial records from his tenure.

Tanko said Obi would not avoid questions concerning the state’s finances and was prepared to provide clarification on claims about loans, debts and other financial obligations allegedly linked to his administration.

Speaking during an interview on Arise TV on Friday, Tanko maintained that Obi had already made his handover records available and had voluntarily presented information about the state’s financial position when he left office.

“Nobody asked His Excellency, Mr Peter Obi, to present facts about his handing over. He did willingly and openly to the people,” Tanko said.

His comments come amid a renewed public dispute between Obi and the Anambra State Government over the financial position inherited by successive administrations. Obi has challenged critics to provide evidence that his administration left the state with the liabilities being alleged, while the state government has published documents detailing loans and other obligations it says remained from his tenure.

Tanko rejected suggestions that Obi’s financial record had not been properly accounted for, arguing that documents from the former governor’s administration could be independently examined and verified.

He also referred to Obi’s handover report, saying it provided details of the state’s finances at the end of his tenure. Tanko urged those disputing the figures to examine the records rather than relying solely on allegations.

“The video is there. Anybody can see it. They confirmed that such amount of money is in their bank account. If anybody wants to contradict that, let them go to the bank. It is available,” he said.

The controversy intensified after the Anambra State Government released a statement on September 16 detailing what it described as public debt associated with Obi’s tenure. The state said loans outstanding as of June 30, 2026 had a balance of N127.4bn at the official exchange rate.

Obi, however, has disputed the allegations. In a separate statement, he said his administration had cleared more than N35bn in historical gratuities and arrears and maintained that the state had no outstanding salaries, pensions or gratuities at the time of handover. He also challenged anyone able to establish otherwise to produce evidence.

The competing claims have placed Anambra’s debt records and the management of public finances during Obi’s tenure at the centre of a wider political debate. The disagreement remains unresolved, with both sides pointing to documents and financial records in support of their respective positions.