“PETER OBI doesn't share rice, peter obi doesn't share money, he doesn't share cylinders, but peter obi is going to give you a better country, I mean a better life…”
— Veteran Yoruba Actor
Yesterday, I spoke with ARISE News on the Anambra debt question and other issues affecting our nation.
In the interview, I clarified the facts surrounding the multilateral development funds accessed by Anambra State, the financial position I left behind in 2014, and the urgent need to focus on the hardships confronting Nigerians rather than on political distractions. I am Sharing this interview to correct factual details, clear all doubts, and put the issues in their proper perspective.
A new Nigeria where leaders are proud of their past is POssible. -PO
https://t.co/kvURszM91q
Debunking the Phantom Debts and Ecological Loan Fallacy
My attention has been drawn to trending claims by the Anambra State Government that my administration left behind inherited debts, including a ₦2 billion ecological loan, contractor liabilities, and unpaid salaries, gratuities, and pensions. This is completely false.
We systematically liquidated historical gratuities and arrears dating back several years, amounting to over ₦35 billion. At the point of handover, the state owed nothing in salaries, gratuities, or pensions, nor did we owe anything to any contractor for projects duly executed and certified.
The ₦2 billion ecological fund in question was released barely three months before the end of my tenure for the Oko/Umuchiana erosion crisis. Despite pressure to spend the money, I refused, insisting that it should be left for my successor because government is a continuum and the funds were tied to a specific project.
The money was therefore left 100 per cent intact in First Bank, in Account No. 2018779464, with a balance of over ₦2.13 billion.
It is important to stress that funds tied to specific projects or set aside for particular purposes were not even included in the over ₦75 billion in savings we left behind.
If anybody can establish anything to the contrary, I will stop campaigning. -PO
🚨🌕 Lamine Yamal on Ousmane Dembélé not including him into his top 3 for the Ballon d’Or: “He’s Kylian Mbappé’s friend, right?”. 😅
“I’m very happy with the season I had. I think every time we faced each other, I probably did something that made them dislike me! And that’s normal. My relationship with Ousmane is very good, and I understand that he wants to choose other players”.
“But I’m very happy with what I delivered this year, and I’m confident that everyone watched it, even if he didn’t”.