No Issue Between Me & Soludo, Anambra Debt Should Be Judged by Records - Peter Obi

The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, Peter Obi, has dismissed suggestions of a political rift between him and the Anambra State Governor, Chukwuma Soludo, while insisting that the controversy over the state’s finances should be settled by available records.

Obi spoke on Friday at the 22nd All Nigeria Editors Conference in Enugu, where he also called for issue-based campaigns, free and credible elections and greater respect for democratic principles ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Reacting to questions surrounding his relationship with Soludo and claims concerning the debt position of Anambra State, the former governor said there was no personal disagreement between them.

“There is no issue between me and Soludo. Me and Soludo are close. He is the governor, he is my governor,” Obi said.

He stressed that political differences should not be allowed to degenerate into personal hostility, adding that public officials should respect the offices occupied by their political opponents.

Obi also revisited the controversy over the finances he left behind when he was governor of Anambra State, maintaining that his administration left substantial savings and that the state's financial position should be assessed through verifiable records.

He urged Nigerians to examine the records of political candidates and demand explanations on their past actions, qualifications and policy proposals rather than allowing political contests to be reduced to personal attacks.

According to him, politicians seeking public office should be prepared to account for their records and address allegations against them where evidence exists.

“If any of us have done something wrong, come out and tell us, so that the children can learn,” he said.

Obi also recalled an episode from his tenure as governor when former Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Fashola, visited Anambra to campaign for his political opponent, Chris Ngige.

He said he provided Fashola with his official convoy and accommodation and accompanied him during the campaign, arguing that political differences should not prevent politicians from maintaining cordial relationships.

The former governor therefore called for a political environment where candidates are allowed to campaign freely across the country and present competing ideas to voters.

He said political parties and candidates should be challenged to explain their records and policy proposals, while the media should interrogate claims made by political leaders and provide citizens with the information required to make informed choices.

Obi also spoke on healthcare, lamenting the condition of primary healthcare facilities in rural communities and arguing that public resources should be prioritised for sectors that directly affect citizens.

He criticised what he described as disproportionate spending on healthcare for government officials compared with funding for major public hospitals, recalling his criticism of the N15 billion allocation for the National Assembly Clinic in the 2024 budget.

He said scarce public resources should instead be directed towards healthcare, education, security and productive sectors.

Obi further urged young Nigerians to participate actively in elections and hold political leaders accountable, stressing that politicians should not be treated as infallible.

“We have no other nation except this one,” he said, urging Nigerians to protect democratic institutions and demand good governance.