APC Tells Peter Obi To Quit 2027 Race, And I Have Questions

The APC Presidential Campaign Council issued a statement yesterday, September 21, signed by spokesman Dele Alake, calling on Peter Obi to withdraw from the 2027 presidential race over the Anambra debt dispute. Their argument is simple: Obi publicly challenged the Anambra State Government to prove he left liabilities behind, and now that the state has released records showing eight external loans totalling about $123.77 million contracted during his tenure, with an outstanding balance of about $92.35 million as of June 30, 2026, he should honour his word and step aside.

Alake did not mince words. He said, "Indeed, if Peter Obi has any honour, he must resign from the 2027 presidential race forthwith, in keeping with his promise to end his run if it is proven that his administration left behind liabilities in Anambra." The campaign council also cited a memo dated April 25, 2006, which they say was written by then Chief of Staff Chuks Ileogbunam, appealing to Obi to approve N15 million in monthly salary payments for Anambra State Water Corporation workers. They quoted the memo as saying, "Since it is your excellency's unchanging desire to achieve a better future for our children and children's children, please, Sir, bear in mind that officials of the Water Corporation also have children who are looking to your compassionate leadership."

But here is where I have a problem. Obi's position has always been that he left no unpaid salaries, pensions, gratuities or certified contractor debts, and that his administration cleared over N35 billion in historical arrears. The loans referenced were for malaria control, education, healthcare and erosion management, which are development projects, not ghost payments. Borrowing for infrastructure is not the same as stealing. So the question is not whether liabilities existed. The question is whether those liabilities were properly serviced and accounted for. The APC is playing politics with accounting, and both sides know it. Be honest, does this actually disqualify Obi in your eyes, or is this just the usual pre-election noise?