Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has challenged the Anambra State Government to provide evidence that his administration left behind a ₦2 billion ecological loan, unpaid contractor debts and outstanding salaries, gratuities and pensions.

Obi, who governed the state from 2006 to 2013, said his administration cleared more than ₦35 billion in inherited gratuity and salary arrears and left no outstanding salaries, pensions or certified contractor payments at the point of handover.

“We systematically liquidated historical gratuities and arrears dating back several years, amounting to over N35 billion. At the point of handover, the state owed nothing in salaries, gratuities, or pensions, nor did we owe anything to any contractor for projects duly executed and certified,” he said.

On the disputed ecological fund, Obi said the ₦2 billion was released less than three months before he left office for the Oko/Umuchiana erosion crisis. He said he refused to spend it because it was tied to the project and instead left it for his successor.

“The N2 billion ecological fund in question was released barely three months before the end of my tenure for the Oko/Umuchiana erosion crisis.

“Despite pressure to spend the money, I refused, insisting that it should be left for my successor because government is a continuum and the funds were tied to a specific project,” he said.

Obi said the money remained untouched in a First Bank account with a balance of more than ₦2.13 billion, separate from the over ₦75 billion in savings he said his administration left behind.

“If anybody can establish anything to the contrary, I will stop campaigning,” he said.

In a separate statement, Obi welcomed legal and public scrutiny of his academic credentials, saying he had no objection to the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) releasing his academic records within the limits of the law.

He was responding to reports of legal action seeking Certified True Copies of his Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy, awarded by UNN in 1984, alongside other academic records.

“I have absolutely no objection to the release of these records,” Obi said, urging other institutions he attended in Nigeria and abroad to similarly release his records where legitimate requests are made.

He said candidates seeking public office should be prepared for lawful and fair scrutiny of their qualifications.

“As a presidential candidate seeking the trust of Nigerians to lead our country, I welcome legitimate public interest in my background, qualifications, and record.

“I am prepared to subject myself to the level of scrutiny that should reasonably be expected of anyone seeking the highest office in our country.”

Obi also urged other presidential candidates to make their educational qualifications and relevant records available for public examination.

Meanwhile, the Peter Obi Media Office (POMR) has questioned reports that about 600 university academics endorsed President Bola Tinubu ahead of the 2027 election.

The group urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to identify academics involved in political endorsements and consider their participation in sensitive electoral roles, including Returning and Collation Officers.

POMR said its concern was not about academics’ right to support political candidates, but whether such endorsements could raise questions about perceived impartiality if they were later appointed to sensitive electoral positions.

“Is the framework for manipulating the 2027 election already being established?” the media office asked.>