I didn’t borrow as Governor, I left $50m savings in Anambra coffers, he adds
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
Peter Obi pitched his competence on Sunday recounting how he did not borrow when he was Anambra Governor from 2006 to 2014, an experience he promised to deploy to rein in Nigeria’s penchant for loans that has now piled its debt above N45.25 trillion.
Obi, who is running for President to fix a broken country, said he is not against borrowing, but it must be for production, not consumption, insisting wastes in government must also be blocked to raise revenue and manage naira exchange rate.
He pressed the points at the townhall organised in Abuja by Arise Television, Centre for Development and Democracy (CDC), and other partners; a public event Bola Tinubu dodged, as usual, and at which Atiku Abubakar did not show up.
Tinubu, the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has been avoiding live media scrutiny since he clinched the ticket in June. His running mate Kashim Shettima was also absent at the townhall.
Atiku, the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has been interviewed live on television, but on Sunday he sent in his running mate and Delta Governor Ifeanyi Okowa.
Obi, a member of the Labour Party (LP), was joined by two other presidential candidates – Musa Kwankwaso of the New Nigerian Peoples Party (NNPP), and Kola Abiola of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP).
Nigeria’s rundown economy and porous security dominated the townhall. And Obi occupied the stage with his experience of sound economic management.
“In a country where those in government are richer than entrepreneurs, they manufacture poverty.
“During my time as a former Governor, I served for eight years. You can go to that state you will find that I never borrowed from any financial institution in Nigeria. I have never been invited or questioned about any missing money anywhere,” he said.
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Obi shines at Presidential Town Hall meeting as protest erupts over Okowa’s representation of Atiku
Tinubu’s excuse for shunning Arise TV debate infuriates Nigerians
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I left $50m savings for Anambra, says Obi
“The day I left the office, I wasn’t owing any contractor or supplier that has delivered his project, I was not owing pension, gratuity, salary. I left in three banks; Access, Diamond and Fidelity, over $50 million each for the state,” Obi added, per The PUNCH
“I have never borrowed, I served faithfully and I left their money. The system can work if we do the right thing.”
“Saving money was in addition to excellent performance. I won the award for best road network by the federal government. I also won an award from Bill Gates Foundation for best in education and health.”
