Anambra State Governor Charles Soludo has come under intense criticism following the release of alleged public debt records linked to former governor and Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate Peter Obi.
On Wednesday, the Anambra State government published what it described as the debt profile of Obi’s administration. According to the government, Obi’s tenure left outstanding loans as well as arrears of salaries, pensions and gratuities that totalled N127 billion, which were inherited by subsequent administrations.
In a statement by the Commissioner for Information and Value Reorientation, Dr Law Mefor, the government said the current administration of Governor Soludo has so far cleared about N22 billion in inherited gratuity arrears owed to retired state and local government employees and teachers.
The analysis of the alleged unpaid debts was also shared on the state’s official X handle, @AnambaNewMedia.
The disclosure quickly drew sharp reactions on X, with many users accusing Soludo of engaging in bitter politics against his predecessor. Critics questioned the timing and motives behind the release, while some challenged the accuracy of the figures and urged the governor to focus on governance instead.
Among the reactions compiled were comments describing the move as “stupidity and bitterness,” alleging inconsistency in the reported figures, and claiming Soludo was acting out of political rivalry rather than public interest. A few voices, however, suggested the release had exposed past financial issues.
The development has reignited debate over the financial records of successive Anambra administrations and the ongoing political rivalry between Soludo and Obi.