FORMER Governor of Anambra state, Mr Peter Obi said on Wednesday that he left no debt for his successor, Mr Willie Obiano to inherit.
The former Governor who spoke in an interview in Abuja said he has clear records of his achievements in office adding that he also has records of the financial balance sheet of the state when he left office.
He was speaking against the backdrop of the data released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) which showed that the Federal Government and the states have sunk deeper into debt crisis.
He also debunked insinuations in some quarters indicating that he had demanded that his successor pay him the sum of N7 billion.
Obis said: “It is on record in this country, it is documented and I can prove it with every clear documented evidence that when I left office, I left over N25 billion in local investment for Anambra State.
I left over N25 billion in cash at the banks, and I left $156 million in the bank in Nigeria. Do you think anybody can leave such money and then go to tell the person he’s handing over to give him N7 billion, when I left over N75 billion?
“I would have taken it first and then give them the balance and I will still be in good shape. Let me use the dollar as example. Nobody has ever left one dollar in any State in Nigeria. I left $156 million. $30 million alone is over N7 billion. If I had taken $36 million and left $120, I would have still been a champion.
“So, why will I leave the money and go and beg the person to start giving me peanuts? So, what is the idea that – it’s madness for anybody to do it. Not even in a family business. I cannot leave money and then start chasing my brother to give me, talk less of when I’m handing over to somebody who is not my brother, who can change tomorrow. I have never; I’m a Christian, I’m not supposed to swear, but I can put my hand on any…. and say I’ve never discussed with anybody to be paid any amount. Let Obiano himself come let’s go before the church or anything and swear that. I have never done that and I will never do it.”
He stated further: “Let me even say, that at this stage of my life, I cannot support anybody in political office for personal benefit. I’ve passed that stage. God has been very gracious to me. I did not go into politics in need. I was already the Director in three financial institutions, a Director in four other major companies, out of which is by virtue of my investment because I was running a successful farming business. If anything, going into politics made me poorer, but I won’t question that because God decided that.
“Where I find myself in life, whatever happens to me, they are God’s design and I respect that. So, for me, there is no need. What I want is for us to have a better society that is caring for the poor, that is caring for its people that is equitable, where everything works.
That’s what I want. So, I don’t support people for personal gain. I will never do it.”
and then