Political analyst and member of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Dickson Iroegbu, has accused Anambra State Governor, Chukwuma Soludo, of using the ongoing controversy over the state’s debt profile to target former governor and NDC presidential candidate, Peter Obi.
Iroegbu made the allegation on Friday during an appearance on ARISE News’ Prime Time, as the dispute over Anambra State’s financial obligations under previous administrations continued to generate political debate.
The controversy began after the Anambra State Government released records it said showed outstanding loans and other financial obligations linked to the period when Obi served as governor. The state government has maintained that eight external loan facilities associated with Obi’s administration remained outstanding, with the balance put at about ₦127.37 billion as of June 30, 2026.
Obi has rejected the allegations, insisting that he did not leave Anambra State owing salaries, pensions, gratuities or certified contractors when he handed over power in 2014. He subsequently released his handover documents, which his representatives said showed the financial position of the state at the time of the transition.
Reacting to the dispute, Iroegbu argued that Obi did not hand over directly to Soludo, noting that the former governor transferred power to Willie Obiano in 2014. He maintained that the relevant financial records from the transition period were available for verification.
According to Iroegbu, the state government should make the underlying documents public so that the competing claims can be independently examined.
“We know this is a political witch-hunt by Governor Chukwuma Soludo. It’s unfortunate, and we call it the crab mentality,” Iroegbu said.
He also warned that the ongoing disagreement could become part of the historical record of Anambra State’s political leadership.
“It’s unfortunate, and I hope he’s going to face it when history reminds him of these events that are unfolding,” he added.
Iroegbu further challenged the Anambra State Government to publish the documents it is relying on to support its claims concerning the loans and other liabilities allegedly inherited from Obi’s administration.
“The facts are there, and we challenge the government to stop playing to the gallery and release the documents that can be presented as evidence,” he said.
The debt controversy has now produced competing documentary claims. While the Soludo administration says records show outstanding loans associated with previous administrations, Obi’s camp has pointed to handover records indicating a positive financial position at the end of his tenure. Former Anambra State Secretary to the Government, Oseloka Obaze, who served under Obi, has also defended the former governor’s account and said he witnessed the handover process.
The dispute remains centred on the interpretation of the financial records, the status of loans obtained during previous administrations and whether those obligations should be attributed to Obi’s tenure. The competing sides have called for the relevant records to be examined to establish the facts.