Anambra debt saga: Engr Anselm Ijebor tackles Soludo, challenges governor to show proves

By David Odama

A Frontline politician and an ally of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, (NDC), Engr Anselm Ijebor has challenged the Anambra State Government, particularly, Governor Charles Soludo to fully disclose the financial records behind his claims that the administration of former Governor, Peter Obi left outstanding debts and other liabilities.

Engr Ijebor who tackles governor Soludo led government while reacting to the sudden outburst against peter Obi’s administration in Anambra state, said the governor’s claims over Obi’s financial record could only be substantiated and resolved through the disclosure and independent examination of relevant documents.

It would be recalled that the Anambra state government had published records which it said showed that eight external loans contracted during Obi’s tenure remained outstanding, putting their combined balance at about N127.4 billion as of June 30, 2026. It also disputed Obi’s claim that N2.13 billion was left in a First Bank account for the Oko and Umuchiana erosion project.

The PDP Chieftain, argued that the existence of outstanding balances on long-term development facilities did not, on its own, establish financial recklessness by the administration that obtained 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.

Engr Ijebor who then criticised the governor Soludo for his “repeated attack on Obi, noted that the governor’s negative disposition towards Peter Obi was becoming a serious challenge adding that it has become unheard of even as peter Obi is not contesting the Anambra governorship election

“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,” Anselm Ijebor stated.

” 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, a legacy peter Obi left behind in Anambra state for others to emulate.”

“And if this is somehow about getting the attention of APC or positioning yourself for a future presidential or VP ticket, I doubt that strategy will deliver the outcome for you

“On this latest allegation, Obi has stated where the N2 billion ecological fund was kept, provided the bank and account details, and challenged anyone with contrary evidence to produce it, even saying he would stop campaigning if proved wrong.

While praising peter Obi for asking educational institutions he attended to release his academic records and certificates in a country where politicians ask courts to restrict release of such records,

Ijebor cautioned the Anambra state governor to devote his time to build on what peter Obi provided in the state rather than deploying the state resources for frivolous and cheap publicity to underscore a non existing point

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

He asked governo Soludo to accept the challenge and then cautioned him against “de-marketing himself to please his pay masters” through his frequent attacks on Obi.

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

End

He urged the government to publish the original loan agreements, dates of disbursement, repayment schedules, tenure and conditions attached to the facilities.

“You cannot simply take an outstanding balance many years later, attach it to the name of a former governor and expect that alone to settle the question of whether his administration was fiscally responsible,” he stated.

On the disputed N2.13 billion ecological fund, the astute politician said the issue should be straightforward to establish because Obi had identified a specific First Bank account.