Presidency Challenges Peter Obi's 2027 Candidacy Claims

The Presidency, through Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, called on former Governor Peter Obi to withdraw from the 2027 presidential race if evidence shows his administration left Anambra State with unpaid debts. This statement was made on September 16, following a dispute between Obi and the Anambra State Government regarding the state's financial history.

The Anambra State Government released records indicating outstanding obligations to workers and pensioners allegedly left by Obi's administration. Obi refuted these claims, stating he settled over ₦35 billion in historical gratuities and salary arrears before leaving office in 2014.

He also challenged the government's account of an alleged ₦2 billion ecological fund, asserting that more than ₦2.13 billion was left for an erosion-control project. Anambra Commissioner for Information and Value Reformation, Law Mefor, contested Obi's claims, stating the referenced account was not an ecological fund account but an Internally Generated Revenue Consolidated Revenue Account.

Obi was ratified as the presidential candidate of the New Democratic Congress on May 29, 2026.