Obi’s former spokesperson, who is now an ally of Atiku, said he was misled when he defended Obi over Anambra’s debt

Kenneth Okonkwo, former spokesperson for Peter Obi, who is currently the spokesperson for African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, says he was misled when he defended former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi against claims that his administration was abandoning debts and other financial obligations.

Okonkwo, who was Obi’s spokesperson during the 2023 presidential campaign, said he could no longer repeat some of the claims he made in defense of the former governor following the recent revelations by the Anambra State Government.

He expressed this in Sunday Politics, a program on Television Continental (TVC), on Sunday.

Okonkwo, who is currently the spokesperson for the presidential campaign council of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, the ADC presidential candidate for the 2027 elections, said he is ready to change his stance whenever new facts emerge.

“You know me, I’m a person who is very passionate about whatever I believe in. Let me tell you because I was misled,” he said.

He recalled that during the 2023 election campaign, he had told Nigerians that Obi had left no debts or unpaid salaries, pension funds or tips when he left office.

“Once I told Nigerians that Peter Obi doesn’t owe anything, he doesn’t owe anything, he doesn’t owe any salary. No gratuity. No pension. And I said, go and verify.

“I’m not one to rest on my own misconceptions. When I look at the facts, I agree.”

Okonkwo said the Anambra State Government then claimed that the Obi administration obtained eight loans and that workers at the state-owned water company were owed salaries and arrears.

“The fact is that the Anambra provincial government said he borrowed eight loans. The fact is that the Anambra provincial government said that in the water company, he owes the workers there, all salaries, all arrears. I cannot say the same thing as I said about Peter Obi in 2023,” he said.

The comments come amidst the ongoing dispute between Obi and the Anambra State Government over the state’s debt profile and financial obligations allegedly inherited from the previous administration.

The controversy followed statements by the state Commissioner for Finance, Izuchukwu Okafor, that Anambra was still repaying loans obtained by previous administrations, including from Obi and former Governor Willie Obiano.

Obi later rejected the claims, stating that he left office debt-free.

Okonkwo also referred to his previous defense of the Obi family against claims regarding the price of a watch allegedly worn by President Bola Tinubu’s son.

“There was a time when they found out that Tinubu’s son was wearing a watch that cost as much as N135 million,” he said.

“I went on television and I said that no one from Peter Obi’s family could wear clothes like that when people were dying in poverty. I stand by my reputation on that. Can I still say that today?”

Explaining his change in approach, Okonkwo said his role in scrutinizing Obi would be different in the 2027 elections.

“That’s why I said that in 2023, I’m campaigning for them as exam chair. In 2027 there will be a cross-examination,” he said.