I Left No Liabilities for Obi with ₦13.8bn in Anambra Coffers, Clarifies Ngige

Former Anambra State Governor, Dr Chris Ngige, has refuted claims that he left behind unpaid salaries, pensions, or gratuities when handing over to his successor, Mr Peter Obi, in 2006.

In an interview, Ngige insisted that all entitlements were settled before his exit, noting that salaries, pensions, and gratuities were placed on first-line charge during his administration.

He added that Obi, who served as Labour Party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 elections, inherited a healthy treasury, not a crisis.

“There was no outstanding gratuity or salary when Obi took over from me. In fact, I left ₦13.8 billion in various state accounts, including infrastructure, education, and security funds,” Ngige said, stressing that official records and a panel report by Justice Sondoneba confirmed the figures.

Ngige also defended the quality of roads and infrastructure he left behind, claiming many of them remain in good condition over two decades later. “The roads I constructed 21 years ago are still standing because I used reputable contractors and ensured proper drainage systems,” he stated.

The former governor maintained that Obi’s portrayal of a “messy” state at the time was inaccurate, insisting that Anambra was financially stable and infrastructurally sound when he handed over power.