- Says ‘I can explain every wealth that I have’
By Alex Emeka Duru
The former governor of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi, has strongly pushed back against some allegations that he may have run afoul of the law when he was governor of Anambra State.
Some stories started making the rounds recently in the social media alleging that the vice presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2019 elections may have had some businesses before he took oath of office as governor on March 17, 2006, which he did not publicly disclose.
But in an exclusive interview with TheNiche, Obi, who said he has not seen the allegations, said there was nothing to worry about.
He wondered why the allegations are coming now, eight years after he left office.
Many Nigerians hold him in high esteem, as he remains one of the few former governors that has never had any issues with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and has never been tarred with the brush of corruption.
Obi said those peddling the rumour should remember that he was not a pauper before he became governor.
“I never said I was a pauper. And people knew. I was not a pauper before I became governor. Before I became governor, I was a director in several financial institutions and some other quoted companies by virtue of my investments.
“I had thriving businesses and the businesses were not folded up because I wanted to be governor. They were there. They were all going concerns. All people need to know is that if there is anything you have seen, investigate it properly, ask valid questions and you will be provided with the right answers.”
Rather than throwing stones, the former governor advised: “What I want people to concentrate on is this: if you see anything that you think is suspicious that belongs to Peter Obi, investigate it properly, most especially, get to the source of the wealth. So, if you see an account belonging to Peter Obi, please investigate the source of the wealth. That’s most important.
“For me, it is not a question of throwing tantrums and saying he did this; he did that. Yes, Peter Obi before coming back to be a governor had a very thriving business in the United Kingdom (UK). I had a very thriving business! A private company was there, supported by borrowings and everything from the Western world. And the business was doing well. When I became governor, I should not throw those things away or throw my businesses here in Nigeria, away.”
Obi said he can explain his wealth and the source and anyone who is not satisfied can investigate.
“Rather than scandalizing someone, check the source of wealth. Then, go to where the person served and see if there was any missing link. For example, if I have an account, say, in the UK (just assuming), when I was in government, can you check whether there was any payment, credit into it within that period?
“If I have accounts in Nigeria, can you check credits that went into it? If I had business with a group of people, can you ask them the growth of the business within that time? And if you want, you can come and ask me the source of the wealth.
“I can explain every wealth that I have and everybody knows that I am not an extravagant fellow. I am not somebody who earns money and throws it away. I am a business man. Even as we speak, I am creating wealth and the wealth is multiplying. But what you notice is that some people are looking for what to say about Peter Obi.”
Insisting that he was not worried by the allegations, Obi wondered why those peddling the rumour are only doing so now, eight years after he left office.
“So, eight years after leaving office, they have not found anything. They are now saying ‘oh, he owns a house in London’. I wasn’t living in the streets in London. I owned my house in London. I had a business that was being run effectively and had overdraft of several million dollars.
“Being a black man and being a Nigerian in London, was double challenge. Being a Nigerian made you a suspect and being a black man compounded the situation. Yet, I had a business of several millions of dollars. And the evidence is there.
“I challenge those accusing me to please show me those who left the record I did in office so that we can compare.”