The Anambra State Government has released a 2006 document indicating that ex-Governor Peter Obi committed to resign if his government failed to clear salaries owed to state employees.

The document is a letter authored by Obi's Chief of Staff, Chuks Iloegbunam, dated during a period when staff at the Anambra State Water Corporation were unpaid for 42 months under Obi's administration.

The document reads, "This is a special appeal to Your Excellency to solve the problem of the salary arrears owed to workers of the Anambra State Water Corporation. There are three reasons for this appeal

"Since it is Your Excellency's unchanging desire to achieve a better future for our children and children's children, please, Se, bear in mind that officials of the Water Corporation also have children who are looking to your compassionate leadership. If the President listens with compassion to your appeals on behalf of the children of Anambra State, I am 200 per cent sure that you will hearken to the cries of the children whose parents work for the Water Corporation and end their ordeal. Thank you most sincerely for that,

"The monthly salary of the Water Corporation comes to something around N15 million every month. Because you have a most busy schedule, I appeal to you to please include the Water Corporation in the league of Government parastatals that are paid through subventions. In this way, the workers will not come to Your Excellency's office every month to distract your attention on account of unpaid salaries.

"Fundamentally, your campaign manifesto pledges that Your Excellency will resign if there is any case where workers are not paid as and when due. Your Excellency, Water Corporation workers were last paid in February. Please rectify this matter so that you can forge ahead with the good work you are doing

"I make this appeal to you with a grave sense of responsibility, and I thank you because I know that you will use your gubernatorial prerogative to end the salary crisis of the Anambra State Water Corporation."

The Anambra State Government, led by Governor Chukwuma Soludo, criticised Obi for not living up to his promises, citing his resignation amid a 42-month unpaid salary crisis for workers.

Additionally, the state pointed out Obi’s repeated pattern of unfulfilled commitments, referencing his recent failure to follow through on his vow to abandon the 2027 presidential race should evidence of his leaving Anambra in debt surface.

It said, "When will Peter Obi quit the presidential campaign? He vowed to quit the presidential race if proven he left Anambra in debt. As governor, he vowed to resign if workers weren’t paid on time. He broke both. He left office in 2014 with heavier arrears. He deceived people. He is LIAR!!"

ASA