Lawyer and human rights activist, Dr. Maxwell Opara, has challenged the attempt to directly link Peter Obi’s administration in Anambra State with the financial records inherited by the current government of Governor Chukwuma Soludo.

Opara made the clarification during an interview on Arise News on Thursday, September 17, 2026, while reacting to the controversy surrounding records of loans and other financial liabilities allegedly incurred during Obi’s tenure as governor.

The debate followed the publication of financial records by the Anambra State Government, which has renewed questions about the state’s financial position during and after Obi’s administration.

However, Opara argued that the timeline of succession in Anambra State should be properly considered before attributing the financial position at Soludo’s assumption of office directly to Obi.

According to him, Obi did not hand over power directly to Soludo. Rather, Obi handed over to another governor, who subsequently remained in office for eight years before handing over to Soludo.

“Peter Obi never handed over to Soludo directly. Peter Obi handed over to a governor, and that governor ruled for eight years and then handed over to Soludo,” Opara said.

Opara’s argument was that the period between Obi’s departure from office and Soludo’s emergence as governor should not be overlooked when discussing the state’s financial records.

He further pointed to statements he said had previously been made by the governor who succeeded Obi, including claims concerning funds allegedly left by the former governor in a particular bank. Opara also referenced the former managing director of the bank, who he said later became governor of Abia State, as having spoken about funds left by Obi.

The lawyer therefore questioned the basis for presenting newly released figures as sufficient evidence to directly establish that Obi was responsible for all financial obligations being discussed.

His comments came as political attention increasingly focuses on Obi’s record as Anambra governor, with supporters and critics examining his administration’s finances as part of the wider political debate ahead of the 2027 presidential election.