Debt Controversy: Analyst Faults Soludo’s Attacks on Peter Obi, Urges Governor to Focus on Governance

By Praise Chinecherem

A communication expert and media and public relations consultant, Dr. Ambrose Igboke, has criticised Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, over his continued public exchanges with former governor and Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi.

Igboke, who is also the Chairman of the Guild of Public Affairs Analysts, Enugu State Chapter, described the ongoing dispute as unnecessary and urged Governor Soludo to focus on governance rather than engaging in repeated public criticism of his predecessor.

He made the remarks while reacting to the recent controversy surrounding Obi’s debt record during his tenure as governor of Anambra State.

Debt Dispute Fuels Renewed Political Exchanges

The controversy followed a series of exchanges between the Anambra State Government and Obi over claims concerning the state’s debt profile during the former governor’s administration.

While the Soludo administration has maintained that documentary records show outstanding domestic loans and other liabilities inherited from previous administrations, Obi has disputed aspects of the claims.

Reacting to the development, Igboke argued that Soludo’s repeated criticism of his predecessor suggested what he described as an unhealthy fixation on Obi, who left office more than a decade ago.

The analyst also raised the possibility that political events surrounding the 2014 governorship succession may have contributed to lingering tensions between the two politicians.

He recalled that Obi had backed Willie Obiano as the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) governorship candidate instead of Soludo. However, Igboke acknowledged that he had no evidence linking the political development to the governor’s current public statements.

‘Soludo Should Publish the Facts Before Making Claims’

Igboke questioned the tone of Governor Soludo’s interventions in the debt controversy, arguing that the governor’s academic and professional background should be reflected in his public communication.

He said the governor, as an economist, should prioritise the presentation of verifiable evidence when making claims about the state’s financial history.

“As an economist, I don’t think Soludo should be bandying numbers without providing proof. If he wanted to challenge Peter Obi, he should publish the facts first before making comments,” Igboke said.

The analyst maintained that documentary evidence would provide a more effective basis for resolving the disagreement than repeated public exchanges.

Analyst Praises Soludo’s CBN Legacy, Criticises Political Communication

While criticising Soludo’s approach to the controversy, Igboke acknowledged the governor’s accomplishments as a former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

He praised Soludo’s banking reforms, noting that they earned him national and international recognition. However, he expressed concern that the governor’s political engagements had affected the quality of his public communication.

Igboke urged political leaders to exercise restraint and prioritise substantive issues over personal confrontations.

South-East Leaders Urged to Reject Divisive Politics

The public affairs analyst also criticised what he described as a pattern of divisive politics among political actors in the South-East.

He called on regional leaders to pursue their political interests without resorting to personal attacks against fellow Igbo politicians.

According to him, political differences should not undermine the broader interests of the region or distract leaders from their responsibilities to the public.

Igboke further urged Governor Soludo to concentrate on consolidating his administration’s governance record in Anambra State rather than revisiting political disagreements dating back to Obi’s departure from office in 2014.

He maintained that the governor’s attention should remain focused on delivering governance outcomes while allowing documentary evidence and public accountability to guide discussions surrounding the state’s financial history.

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