Former Governor, Anambra State. LP Presidential Candidate, 2023. NDC Presidential Candidate, 2027. Tweets by him are signed -PO.
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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
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ON THE ANAMBRA DEBT QUESTION
I have remained silent over the past few days because I have been grieving the loss of my very dear elder brother and friend, Chief Okey Ezeibe. However, the time has come for me to address some of the matters that have occupied public discussion in recent days.
I respectfully urge everyone to concentrate on the existential challenges confronting Nigeria and the hardships endured by its citizens, rather than on the needless distractions that have become widespread in our politics.
I wish to assure the public that I have no disagreement with my dear elder brother, Governor Soludo, or with any governor in Nigeria. I am not seeking the office of governor in any state, and I will not seek that position again, even if the Constitution is amended.
Accordingly, I appeal to governors to support whichever presidential candidate they choose while also permitting and assisting other presidential candidates and contenders for other offices to campaign freely and without interruption in their states. Ultimately, voters should be allowed to determine whom they wish to serve them.
Regarding the multilateral funding inaccurately described as “debt owed by Peter Obi” in Anambra State, I wish to state unequivocally:
As Governor of Anambra State, I did not approach any financial institution to borrow funds or issue a bond on behalf of the state. Indeed, at his farewell ceremony, the then Director-General of the DMO, Abraham Nwankwo, appointed me chairman and declared that, during his 10 years in office, I was the only state governor who had not approached him for a loan facility.
When I left office, the Anambra State Government owed no unpaid salaries, gratuities, or pensions. Neither did it owe any contractor or supplier who had completed work that the government had verified and certified.
Regarding development financing from the World Bank, these are concessionary development-support funds secured by the Federal Government for states selected by it to address specific needs. Repayment is spread over 25 to 30 years.
The Anambra State Government must therefore differentiate among three separate figures: the total amount approved for the multiyear development program; the amount Anambra State actually drew during my tenure; and the funding balance outstanding when I handed over on 17 March 2014.
The government has combined these distinct categories, added them together, and described the resulting US$123.77 million as “loans left by Peter Obi.” That is an incorrect application of public-sector accounting.
The eight facilities identified were primarily World Bank and IFAD development programs negotiated by the Federal Government, with participating states receiving access to the funds through subsidiary arrangements. They were not conventional commercial loans that I personally secured during my tenure.
This does not suggest that Anambra had no repayment responsibilities; rather, each facility must be examined in light of its approval, effectiveness, drawdown, and repayment record.
The clearest contradiction appears in the government’s own figures. It states that the original facilities amounted to approximately US$123.77 million and that US$92.35 million remained outstanding in June 2026. However, the DMO’s published records showed Anambra’s total external debt at approximately US$18 million when I began my tenure in March 2006, about US$30 million in March 2014, when I left office, and approximately US$45.15 million as of 31 December 2014, nine months after my departure.
The Anambra State Government must therefore clarify how a state whose recorded external debt was about US$30 million in March 2014 and US$45.15 million in December 2014 could supposedly have inherited US$123.77 million from Peter Obi, who left office in March of that same year.
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On the day I left office, I left more than US$150 million as the dollar component of my investment in Anambra State as governor. I hereby provide documents that can be verified with the various banks. Had it remained untouched, this investment was expected to provide Anambra State with approximately US$10 million in annual income.
Even if their assertion were accurate—which it is not—that Anambra owed US$123 million, the government could have used the US$10 million generated annually from my savings to reduce the debt. It has now been 13 years since I left office, which would amount to US$130 million. The debt should have been fully settled by now.
Had they retained the funds I left in the bank, including the compound interest on the principal and the additional income, the total would be approximately US$335 million today. If they had chosen to repay the US$92.35 million funding, the entire amount would have been covered, leaving approximately US$242 million to be reinvested. That sum would have generated about US$20 million annually for Anambra State.
Let me reiterate that, when I left office, I left Anambra State in a strong financial position—the strongest of any state in Nigeria—and I stand by that position.
Through this clarification, I wish to state categorically that I will neither engage nor trade words with anyone regarding my tenure in Anambra State. My focus will now be on issues affecting the suffering Nigerian masses, which is the reason for my presidential ambition.
A new Nigeria is POssible. -PO
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INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PEACE: NIGERIA REQUIRES MORE THAN THE END OF CONFLICT
As the world observes the International Day of Peace, Nigeria must acknowledge a difficult truth: enduring peace cannot be achieved while citizens continue to face insecurity, hunger, poverty, and despair.
Peace means more than the absence of violence. It exists when farmers can travel safely to and from their fields, children can attend school without the threat of abduction, families can afford adequate food, and young people can envision a future in their own country.
For this reason, peace must be grounded in effective governance. Governments must safeguard lives, ensure justice, combat corruption, invest in education and healthcare, expand productive opportunities, and manage national resources responsibly.
We cannot continue addressing only the visible effects of insecurity while neglecting the circumstances that generate desperation and instability.
Every naira misused represents a lost opportunity to strengthen peace. Every citizen left without support reflects a crisis overlooked. Every injustice committed erodes the foundations of peace.
Nigeria possesses the resources necessary to become a secure, peaceful, and prosperous nation. What is required is leadership, accountability, and the political will to place the Nigerian people at the centre of governance.
On this International Day of Peace, let us pledge to build a Nigeria in which justice is upheld, lives are protected, opportunities are expanded, and every citizen can live with dignity and hope.
Responsible governance is the foundation of peace.
A new Nigeria is POssible. -PO
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Mourning a Very Dear Brother
Today, Sunday, 20th September 2026, with deepest sense of shock and profound sadness, I received the news of the death of my very dear elder brother, and friend Chief Okey Ezibe.
His death is a great personal loss to me, to his family, to our community and to all who knew and valued him. I will deeply miss his very dear friendship, counsel, courage and the warmth with which he related with everyone around him.
I pray that Almighty God will grant him eternal rest and grant his family, friends and all of us who mourn him the strength and fortitude to bear this painful and irreparable loss.
Omeluora, rest in peace. Your memory will remain with us, and your dream of a New Nigeria will continue to live on. -PO
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OBI/KWANKWASO TALKS NIGERIA, THE KADUNA TOWNHALL
Yesterday, after my visit to the Sheikh Muhammad Sambo Memorial Islamic Institute in Rigachikun, Kaduna, I joined my running mate, His Excellency, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, and candidates of our party for an interactive town hall meeting organised by the party.
The town hall, which is a continuation of our series of engagements with citizens following the one we recently held in Port Harcourt, again afforded us the opportunity to interact directly with our fellow citizens, listen to their concerns, answer their questions and hear their contributions on the critical issues facing our country today.
Our response was to reassure our dear compatriots of our commitment to uniting our nation, pulling our people out of poverty, investing in healthcare and education, and aggressively tackling insecurity, so that our people can safely return to their homes, communities and farms.
We also spoke about the need to address the endemic corruption and inefficiencies in the fuel subsidy regime, reduce the burden of fuel costs on Nigerians, and create an economy that supports our citizens to live decent and dignified lives in their own country.
Let me use this opportunity once again to call on our opponents to also speak directly with the people and listen to their feedback. The very essence of democracy is people-centred governance. Leaders and aspiring leaders must therefore leave their comfort zones and interface directly with the people they seek to serve.
I thank our party leadership and the organisers of this town hall for a job well done, and I congratulate the good people of Kaduna State for their renewed commitment to supporting a leadership that listens to and respects their concerns.
A New Nigeria is POssible, and Nigeria will be OK. -PO
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DISCLAIMER: Fake Letter Circulating in My Name
My attention has been drawn to a fake letter circulating on social media, purportedly written by me to His Majesty, Igwe Nnaemeka Alfred Ugochukwu Achebe, the Obi of Onitsha, concerning political and financial matters in Anambra State.
This document is entirely false, malicious, and a fabrication by mischievous elements aimed at misleading the public. Furthermore, the signature appended to the letter is completely forged.
I urge the public and media to disregard this spurious publication. My focus remains steadfastly on issues of national development, accountability, and building a better future for our people - never on cheap fabrications. -PO
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I arrived in Abuja from London this morning, thanks to Air Peace Airlines, whose flight arrived 20 minutes ahead of schedule. From Abuja, I proceeded immediately to Kaduna.
Upon my arrival, I visited the Sheikh Muhammad Sambo Memorial Islamic Institute, Rigachikun, Kaduna State, an institution I had visited twice in the past and supported in my little way.
I was very impressed by the level of progress the institution has made, particularly its approach to blending Islamic education with STEM subjects. This is the kind of holistic education that can equip our young people with both strong values and the knowledge and skills required to thrive in today’s world.
My commitment remains to investing in education and healthcare, developing our human capital, creating opportunities, and lifting our people out of poverty. Every Nigerian, regardless of religion, ethnicity, region, or political affiliation, deserves to feel that this country belongs to them.
A New Nigeria is POssible. -PO
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Peter Obi retweeted
Deconstructing the Anambra Debt Claims: Revisionist History
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Today in London, I continued consultations centered on Nigeria's future with some shareholders.
Our conversations centered on economic partnerships, strengthening institutional frameworks, and unlocking potential locked within Nigeria's vibrant youth demographic.
A recurring theme in all my discussions was the urgent necessity of transforming Nigeria from a consumer economy into a productive economy. This structural shift relies entirely on intentional investments in human capital—specifically health, education, and enterprise. We must forge a society where merit, integrity, and competence are celebrated and rewarded, leaving behind the era of nepotism and compromise.
While our current challenges are profound, they pale in comparison to the boundless resilience and determination of our people.
A New Nigeria is POssible. -PO
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Let's begin to give dignity to human lives in our land.
The death of 37 persons in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Minna, Niger State, is a deeply troubling tragedy that demands urgent answers. These were persons who had been arrested as suspects. Whatever offence they were suspected of committing, they were still human beings, and the responsibility of the State was to keep them alive, safe, and treated humanely while due process took its course.
It is particularly disturbing that so many people could die within a place of detention in such a short period. While investigations are ongoing into the actual cause of these deaths, including reports concerning disease, overcrowding, and inadequate ventilation, Nigerians deserve a transparent, independent, and credible investigation that establishes exactly what happened.
This tragedy also reminds us that security is not merely about arresting people. Security is about protecting lives, upholding the dignity of every citizen, and ensuring that the institutions entrusted with our safety operate within the law.
A nation cannot claim to value human life when people can enter government custody alive and emerge dead without immediate, transparent, and credible accountability.
I extend my deepest condolences to the families of the deceased and urge the authorities to ensure that justice is done. Nigeria must become a country where the rule of law protects every citizen, not only those who are free but also those who are in custody.
May God grant the families the strength to bear this painful loss. -PO
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A New Nigeria Across Borders: My Visit to Italy
As part of my ongoing visits to several countries in continuation of my consultations, meetings, and constructive exchanges of ideas on national rebirth, I arrived in Italy this morning.
I had the privilege of engaging with key stakeholders and leaders. We held fruitful discussions on economic collaboration, institutional development, and matters critical to Nigeria’s progress, with a particular focus on the immense potential of our vast youthful population.
During these various meetings, I reiterated our core conviction to move Nigeria from consumption to production through sustained investments in education, healthcare, and enterprise development. We must build a functional society where young people are given genuine opportunities to prosper. A nation that values its talent must reward competence, character, and integrity over criminality, connections, and nepotism.
Though our national obstacles are immense, the collective capacity and resilience of our people are infinitely greater.
Leaving Italy tonight, I remain encouraged by the ideas shared and the collective determination of both the international community and our citizens everywhere to see Nigeria work for everyone.
A New Nigeria is POssible. -PO
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TRIBUTE TO OLU JACOBS
It is with sadness that I received the news of the passing of our veteran actor, Olu Jacobs, whose demise was announced by his family yesterday, 16th September, 2026.
Olu Jacobs represented the excellence of the Nigerian spirit. He exemplified this through his remarkable contributions to the film and creative industry, in a career spanning several decades across both Britain and Nigeria.
His passing is once again a reminder to all of us that our time here is limited. Whatever responsibility we are entrusted with, and whatever area we are called to contribute to society, we must give it our very best and ensure that society benefits from our genius, talent and competence.
This was what Olu Jacobs was renowned for. He lived a life that demonstrated the power of talent, discipline, professionalism and dedication to one’s craft.
As we remember his life, times and passion, my thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends, colleagues and the entire Nigerian creative community.
I pray that the Almighty will grant his loved ones, and our nation, the fortitude to bear this irreplaceable loss.
May the good Lord grant our father, Olu Jacobs, and all the faithful departed eternal rest. Amen. -PO
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Borgu: We Must Never Normalise the Killing of Nigerians
The reports emerging from Borgu, Niger State, are becoming increasingly difficult to comprehend and deeply painful to contemplate. On 27 August, I expressed my anguish over the reported abduction of about 600 Nigerians, many of them women, children and elderly people, alongside the killing of others. I described it then as “one case too many” and urged that it be treated with the urgency it deserved.
Today, that anguish has become even deeper. We are now confronted with continuing reports of the gruesome killing of some of those abducted, while many others remain unaccounted for.
In another disturbing incident, a bandit group reportedly beheaded a Nigerian and sent his severed head to a community leader over a ₦50 million levy. If the reported killing was intended to increase pressure on the community and extract more money for those still being held, then we must recognise the terrible reality before us: human life is being deliberately turned into a bargaining instrument.
One person is killed to terrorise an entire community, while others are kept alive as hostages for more ransom. This is not merely criminality; it is the systematic devaluation of human life. These are not statistics. They are Nigerians. They are mothers, fathers, children, brothers, sisters and elderly people. Their only offence was to live in communities where the protection of the state has become increasingly inadequate.
We must therefore ask ourselves a fundamental question: At what point do we, as a nation, decide that this is no longer acceptable? We cannot continue to normalise the kidnapping of hundreds of citizens, the killing of innocent people, the imposition of levies on communities, the displacement of entire populations and the payment of ransom as though these are unavoidable features of Nigerian life.
The consequences of insecurity go beyond those abducted or killed. Families are displaced, farms abandoned, businesses destroyed, children deprived of education, and citizens forced to seek safety elsewhere. Insecurity ultimately destroys both lives and public confidence in government.
Nigeria cannot continue reacting only after lives are lost. We need intelligence-led operations, stronger community security, rapid response, better coordination and equipment for our security forces, effective border protection, and sustained action against criminal networks.
The primary responsibility of government is the security and welfare of its citizens. While politicians prepare for elections, Nigerians are asking for something more fundamental: the right to live. We must never accept a Nigeria where kidnapping, ransom, criminal levies and the killing of innocent citizens become normal. Every Nigerian life matters. Every victim deserves justice. Every community deserves protection.
Our prayers must be matched with action. No criminal group should determine who lives or dies anywhere in Nigeria. Nigeria must restore security, justice, and the dignity of human life.
A New Nigeria is POssible. -PO
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Today, as I conclude my four-day working visit to the United States, I leave encouraged by the people I met, the conversations we shared, and the enduring hope I saw for a better Nigeria.
During the visit, I had the opportunity to engage with prominent personalities and exchange views on issues of importance to Nigeria, the United States, and our people, especially the future of our vast youthful population.
One of the most fulfilling parts of the trip was meeting young Nigerian professionals — doctors, lawyers, engineers, technology professionals, entrepreneurs, educators, and business leaders — who are excelling in their various fields while remaining deeply committed to a better Nigeria.
My message to them was simple: you are not outsiders to Nigeria’s future; you are an important part of it.
The knowledge, experience, and innovation of Nigerians in the diaspora are enormous national assets. We must build a country that welcomes their contribution and gives every Nigerian a meaningful opportunity to participate in our national development.
I shared with them my vision of a New Nigeria — a country where the son or daughter of a nobody can become somebody without knowing anybody; where your background does not determine your destination, and where hard work, competence, and integrity matter more than connections.
We must move Nigeria from consumption to production. We must invest in education, healthcare, and our people, support enterprise, create productive jobs, and build an economy that gives our young people genuine reasons to believe in their future at home.
Our young people should not have to leave Nigeria before their talents are recognised or their dreams become possible.
I was also pleased to engage with diaspora media, including NoireTV Network and Adeola Talks, where I shared my thoughts on building a more productive, secure, and prosperous Nigeria.
It was a fulfilling visit, but the work continues.
I look forward to continuing these conversations with Nigerians at home and across the world. Wherever we may live, we all have a role to play in building the Nigeria we desire.
Our challenges are great, but our potential is greater. We have the people, the talent, and the resources to build a country where opportunity is not determined by who you know or where you come from, but by what you can contribute.
That is the Nigeria we must build together — a Nigeria that works for everyone.
A New Nigeria is POssible. -PO
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In the course of my engagements with Nigerians at home and in the diaspora, many of them have sought my opinion on investing in the ongoing Dangote Petroleum Refinery Initial Public Offering.
While encouraging them to buy, I must say that I remain very proud of the commitment and breakthrough of Alhaji Aliko Dangote's investment in the real sector of our country’s economy, across different sectors. This validates my position that we should move Nigeria from consumption to production.
I, therefore, encourage other Nigerian businesses to invest in the productive sectors of the Nigerian economy and also give fellow Nigerian citizens the opportunity to be part of the re-industrialization of the country by offering their shares to the public through public offerings. -PO
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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
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No Objection to Legitimate Scrutiny of My Certificates
My attention has been drawn to reports circulating on social media concerning a legal action by an individual or group seeking Certified True Copies (CTCs) of my Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy, awarded to me in 1984 by the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), as well as other academic records and credentials relating to my admission into the University.
I wish to state clearly that I have absolutely no objection to the release of these records.
I respectfully request that the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, within the limits permitted by law, make available, upon legitimate request, my academic certificates, records, and other official documents relating to my admission and studies at the University. I equally have no objection to other educational institutions, within and outside Nigeria, which I attended, making my academic records available in accordance with applicable laws and procedures.
I believe strongly in transparency and accountability, particularly for those who seek the privilege of public office. Public scrutiny must, however, be fair, lawful, and applied consistently to everyone who seeks to lead our nation.
As a presidential candidate seeking the trust of Nigerians to lead our country, I welcome legitimate public interest in my background, qualifications, and record. I am prepared to subject myself to the level of scrutiny that should reasonably be expected of anyone seeking the highest office in our country. Those who seek to lead must be willing to demonstrate, through both their words and actions, that they have nothing to conceal from the people they aspire to serve.
In that same spirit, I encourage every presidential candidate to make their educational qualifications and relevant records available for legitimate public scrutiny. Doing so should not be regarded as an inconvenience or an attack. Rather, it is an opportunity to strengthen public confidence, promote accountability, and rebuild the trust of Nigerians in those who seek to govern them.
Leadership must reflect the values we expect from the society we hope to build. If we desire a Nigeria founded on transparency, integrity, accountability, and respect for institutions, those values must begin with those who seek to lead it.
I therefore welcome the scrutiny of my academic background and remain committed to the principle that those who ask Nigerians for their trust must also be willing to earn that trust through openness and accountability.
A New Nigeria is POssible. -PO
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Yesterday, while in Washington, D.C., I had the privilege of meeting with a group of young Nigerian professionals — medical doctors and other healthcare professionals, educators, lawyers, engineers, technology experts, entrepreneurs and business leaders.
It was an engaging and encouraging conversation about Nigeria, the challenges before us, and the kind of country we must work together to build.
Our discussions centered largely on good governance and the urgent reforms Nigeria needs today. I reminded them that, important as our economic, political, and institutional reforms are, the most important reform Nigeria needs is the reform of leadership itself.
No nation can rise above the character, competence, capacity, and commitment of those entrusted with its leadership.
Nigeria is blessed.
We are not lacking in intelligent people. We are not lacking in natural resources. We are not lacking in hardworking and innovative young people. What we have lacked for far too long is leadership that genuinely puts the people first and treats public resources as a sacred trust.
We need leadership that strengthens our institutions, invests seriously in education and healthcare, supports businesses and entrepreneurs, creates jobs and opportunities for our young people, and gives every Nigerian a reason to believe that hard work can still lead to a better life.
Meeting these young Nigerians in Washington once again reminded me of the extraordinary talent our country has produced.
Across the world, Nigerians are making remarkable contributions in medicine, technology, engineering, law, education, business, and many other fields. Our diaspora should never be seen as people who have simply left Nigeria. They remain an important part of Nigeria and must be partners in rebuilding our country.
We must build a Nigeria where our young people do not have to leave their country in order to fulfil their dreams, and where those already abroad can confidently return, invest, contribute and participate in our national development.
That Nigeria is possible.
But it will not happen by accident.
It will require responsible and compassionate leadership, stronger institutions, prudent management of our resources, and, above all, citizens who refuse to give up on Nigeria.
I remain convinced that our greatest resource is not beneath our soil; it is our people.
If we get leadership right, we can get Nigeria right.
We must continue to believe. We must continue to work. And we must continue to demand a country that works for everyone.
A New Nigeria is POssible. - PO
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The recent report that 97% of assessed Primary Healthcare Centres across 16 states failed to meet the national staffing standard is not merely a statistic; it can be extrapolated nationwide, where about 80% of PHCs are not functioning. It reflects a serious risk.
Health is the primary measure of development in any nation and forms the foundation of healthcare. A country cannot build a healthy, productive population if its Primary Healthcare Centres lack the necessary staff to care for the people.
Behind every understaffed PHC is a pregnant woman who might not receive timely care, and a child who could die from a preventable illness. That is why Nigeria is currently classified among the most challenging and poorest places to be born and to live.
Healthcare should not be a privilege reserved for the wealthy. It is a basic responsibility of government. Progress is not best measured by flyovers, new bus stops, or airports that are rarely used. Instead, we should measure it by the number of lives saved, the number of operational health centres, the availability of qualified health workers, and the quality of care provided to ordinary Nigerians.
We cannot create a New Nigeria while allowing our people to die from issues that a functioning Primary Healthcare system should prevent. Our priorities must be clear: invest in our people, strengthen Primary Healthcare, recruit and retain essential health workers, and ensure every Nigerian, regardless of location or income, has access to quality, affordable healthcare.
A New Nigeria is POssible. -PO
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