ABUJA — Chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and former spokesperson for the Labour Party Presidential Campaign Council, Kenneth Okonkwo, has formally recanted his earlier defence of Peter Obi’s financial record as Governor of Anambra State, admitting he was “misled” during the 2023 general election campaign.
Speaking on Monday, September 28, 2026, Okonkwo declared that while he acted as an “examination-in-chief” for Obi in 2023 by robustly defending his administration against public criticism, his political approach toward the former governor during the 2027 election cycle will be one of rigorous “cross-examination”.
The political commentator and Nollywood veteran noted that official documentation and recent disclosures from the Anambra State Government regarding inherited debt profiles forced him to review his previous public assertions.
“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,'” Okonkwo stated. “I am not a man that stands on my own misunderstanding. I was misled into making those statements based on the information provided to us then.”
The Anambra Debt Controversy
The shift in Okonkwo’s position comes on the heels of an ongoing political clash between the Anambra State Government and the Peter Obi campaign organization:
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State Government Claims: The Anambra State Ministry of Finance recently disclosed that the state continues to service multilateral development loans totaling $123.77 million inherited from previous administrations, including those of Peter Obi and his successor, Willie Obiano.
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Obi’s Rebuttal: Obi maintained that he left office in March 2014 without leaving behind liquid debts or unpaid contractor, salary, or pension liabilities, arguing that the $123.77 million figure represents long-term multilateral concessionary financing rather than immediate operational debt.
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Presidency’s Engagement: The Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, waded into the row, challenging Obi to uphold his previous public pledge to withdraw from political contests if it was proven he left liabilities for the state.
Changing Roles Ahead of 2027
Reflecting on his political evolution and relationship with the opposition movement, Okonkwo emphasized that public figures must remain accountable to the electorate rather than demonstrating blind loyalty to individual political figures.
“In 2023, I stuck my reputation on the line and campaigned for them,” Okonkwo added. “In 2027, it’s going to be a cross-examination. We must ask the tough questions because Nigerians deserve absolute transparency from anyone seeking the highest office in the land.”
