The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has backed the Anambra State Government’s decision to scrutinise the record of former governor and 2027 presidential candidate, Peter Obi.
Keyamo argued that it would be inconsistent to subject President Bola Tinubu’s record as Lagos State governor to public scrutiny while opposing similar examination of Obi’s tenure in Anambra.
The minister stated this on Thursday while reacting to the ongoing disagreement between Obi and the administration of Governor Chukwuma Soludo over the financial records and liabilities associated with the former governor’s tenure.
The Anambra State Government has recently released details of loans and other obligations it says were incurred or left outstanding by previous administrations, including that of Obi. The state said records from the Debt Management Office showed eight external borrowings linked to Obi’s tenure, with the outstanding balance put at about N127.4 billion as of June 30, 2026.
Obi has rejected the allegations, maintaining that he left office in 2014 without outstanding salaries, pensions, gratuities or certified obligations to contractors and suppliers.
He also challenged the state government to establish otherwise, saying he would stop his 2027 presidential campaign if anyone could prove that he left Anambra with the liabilities being alleged.
Reacting to the controversy, Keyamo questioned why Nigerians who support scrutiny of Tinubu’s record in Lagos would object to similar scrutiny of Obi’s record in Anambra.
He said both politicians are seeking the presidency and should therefore expect their records in public office to come under examination.
“Hypocrites everywhere! It is okay to continue to scrutinise the records of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as Governor of Lagos State 27 years ago, but it is abomination to scrutinise Peter Obi’s record as Governor 19 years ago!” Keyamo said.
“Yet, they are both running for the same office.”
The minister also questioned opposition to the Anambra government releasing information about Obi’s tenure, particularly when the former governor has publicly defended his record in office.
“How can someone question why the Anambra State Government is reeling out facts at this time?” he asked.
“A Presidential candidate makes bogus claims as to his tenure as Governor, yet you don’t want him to be fact-checked? What type of hypocrisy is this?”
The dispute intensified after the Anambra State Government released records concerning loans allegedly obtained during Obi’s administration and other financial obligations it said remain outstanding.
The state government said the outstanding external loans associated with the former governor’s tenure amounted to about $92.35 million, equivalent to N127.4 billion at the official exchange rate as of June 2026. It also challenged Obi’s account of an ecological fund he said he left in the state before leaving office.
Obi has disputed the government’s interpretation of the records, insisting that his administration settled its obligations before handing over power.
The former governor has also said his administration cleared more than N35 billion in historical gratuities and arrears and left the state without outstanding salary, pension or gratuity obligations.
Keyamo said the Anambra government is entitled to respond to claims concerning the previous administration, particularly as the former governor is now seeking the presidency.
He concluded his reaction by expressing support for Soludo’s decision to challenge Obi’s account of his tenure.
“Governor Soludo, take a bow; take your flowers,” the minister said.