Kenneth Okonkwo, a chieftain of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, has said he was misled when he previously defended former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi’s financial record ahead of the 2023 presidential election.
Okonkwo, who served as Obi’s spokesman during the 2023 election, said he could no longer repeat some of the claims he made about the former governor following fresh disclosures by the Anambra State Government.
He made the remarks on Sunday during an appearance on Television Continental’s Sunday Politics.
Okonkwo said he had previously told Nigerians that Obi left Anambra without outstanding debts, salary arrears, gratuities or pension liabilities, but acknowledged that he had changed his position after reviewing information released by the state government.
“You know me, I’m a very passionate person in whatever I believe in. Let me tell you because I was misled,” he said.
“There was a time I told Nigerians that Peter Obi was not owing anything, did not leave any debt, he was not owing any salary. No gratuity. No pension. And I said, go and verify.
“I’m not a man that stands on my own misunderstanding. When I see the facts, I agree.
“The fact is Anambra State Government said he borrowed eight loans. The fact is that Anambra State said that at the water corporation, he was owing workers there, all the salaries, all the arrears. I cannot say the same thing that I said about Peter Obi in 2023.”
The remarks come amid a fresh dispute between Obi and the Anambra State Government over the financial obligations associated with his administration.
The state government said in September that eight external facilities linked to projects undertaken during Obi’s tenure had a combined contracted value of $123.77 million, with $92.35 million outstanding as of June 30, 2026, citing figures from the Debt Management Office.
Obi has rejected the description of the facilities as loans he personally obtained for Anambra. He said he neither approached financial institutions to borrow funds nor issued a bond on behalf of the state during his tenure. He also disputed the state government’s interpretation of the debt figures.
The former governor has maintained that he left office without unpaid salaries, pensions, gratuities or contractor obligations.
The state government has also cited salary arrears involving workers and pensioners of the defunct Anambra State Water Corporation and the Anambra State Environmental Protection Agency. A 2024 government memo approved N473 million as the first tranche for settling some of the arrears.
Okonkwo also recalled his previous defence of Obi’s family over reports concerning an expensive wristwatch allegedly worn by President Bola Tinubu’s son.
“There was a time they figured out that Tinubu’s son was wearing a watch worth up to N135 million,” he said.
“I ran out on television and I said nobody from Peter Obi’s family can ever wear such a thing when people are dying in poverty. I stuck my reputation on it. Can I still say that today?”
Explaining his changed position, Okonkwo said his approach to Obi would be different in the next election cycle.
“That’s why I said in 2023, I campaigned for them as the examination in chief. In 2027, it’s going to be a cross-examination,” he added.
Okonkwo currently serves as spokesman for the presidential campaign council of former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, who is the ADC’s 2027 presidential candidate.
Obi governed Anambra from 2006 until March 17, 2014, when he handed over to Willie Obiano.
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