Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, Mr. Peter Obi has challenged Nigerian politicians and their supporters to name any former Nigerian governor to hand over savings in dollars to their successor.
Obi threw the challenge on Friday while speaking at the ongoing 22nd All Nigeria Editors Conference in Enugu.
Insisting that he handed over $150 million dollars to his successor, Chief Willy Obiano, Obi said the fact has been confirmed by the banks.
“The day I left office, thank God, Oti confirmed it this morning while on Arise, I left $150 million in savings.
“No other governor has left dollars. If you see one, tell me. I left $150 million,” Obi said.
The former Governor of Anambra State explained that Anambra’s debt when he assumed office was $18 million, which increased by $12million, to $30 million when he left office.
“I left $150 million.
So, even if you say all the money they said Anambra is owing $120 million, and it was created by me, which is wrong public accounting—I said it yesterday—the money I left was giving Anambra State $10 million every year,” he said.
Obi said that if the Anambra State government had been repaying $10 million every year if, it would have fully repayed the amount he was alleged to have incured as debt and the capital would have remained.
“If they decide to keep it without touching it, as at today, that money would have been $360-something million. Out of which, if they take 130 and pay, they have 230 to play with.
“So, it’s a case of a father who allowed his children to inherit N100 million, but they said he’s owing N10 million, and they’re saying he’s owing debt; when they should have just paid it, and taken their change, and be celebrating the man for making them rich,” the NDC presidential candidate said.
Obi insisted that there was no issue between him and Governor Charles Soludo of Anambra State, saying that he and his wife are godparents to Soludo’s children.
“Soludo and I are close. As a banker, he was my customer, and we have not changed.
“If I see him, I greet him, I respect his office—he’s the governor.
“People might not know, my wife and I are godparents to Soludo’s children.
“Yes, we’re that close! So we’re not quarrelling! And we will never quarrel! If I see him any day, me and him will hug and everything,” Obi maintained.
Obi said that he would never attack or use abusive language against President Bola Tinubu because he is the president and should be respected.
“I cannot abuse anybody in government. I don’t need to abuse people even in federal government. I’ve never abused anybody.
“Who has seen me calling President Tinubu’s name? Never! I will not do that. He’s the President of the country, he has all my respect.
“But I can argue on other issues, whether you’re doing well, or you’re not doing the right thing. That is allowed,” Obi stated.
Describing the media as the heart of society, Obi said the building of society would not be discussed without talking about communication.
He urged editors to always put Nigeria in their discussions.
“So, it is important that whenever you are gathered, that as you discuss, please always remember to include Nigeria in your discussion.
“For me today, as we approach election, I have only one thing I will plead that you include in your discussion.
“We made a choice to be a democratic country, and that choice is a choice that can help our country to grow. And it is important that you help us, the politicians, to ensure that as we approach election, that our discussions, our campaigns, everything we do, is strictly based on issues that will bring good governance, that will bring unity, security, and prosperity for the country.
“You can guide us. If anybody steps out of it and goes into name-calling, or anything, you say, ‘No, no, no, no! That’s not the issue. You shouldn’t go there.’ That you ensure that we have free, fair, and credible election. If anybody stops anybody from campaigning, you say, ‘No.'”
He wondered why the Aso Rock Clinic should be allocated more funds than the National Hospital, Abuja.
”Consistently, not for this present, the budget of Aso Rock Clinic is almost 10 times the budget of National Hospital. You can’t do that.
“When Boris Johnson was sick, they carried him to St Thomas’ when he had COVID. There was no clinic in
Downing Street,” Obi said.
Obi also said that there is no disagreement between him and his running mate, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso over the issue of subsidy.
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