The former Governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi, has, through his aide, given reasons he left N75 billion for the State when he left office.
The serial entrepreneur and former Vice Presidential candidate had announced when he was leaving office that he was handing over N75 billion to his successor, Willie Obiano.
The explanation comes after newly sworn-in Governor, Chukwuma Soludo revealed in a television interview that he only met N300 million in the treasury with a debt profile of over N400 billion.
Peter Obi gave the reason for saving the substantial amount in a press release by his media aide, Valentine Obienyem.
According to him, “Often some people who are not experts in finance and statecraft question the rationale behind savings which Obi embarked on out of mischief, display of continued opposition, hatred or pure ignorance.
“I often express surprise at their viewpoints, because even among animals, we see the practice of saving for tomorrow out of today’s surplus. However, among the human family, we need not save only when there is surplus.
If, for example, one plans to buy a car next year, would one not start saving money for that? Savings is about planning and, as Obi always said, If you do not plan, you have planned to fail.
“As for those in the habit of arguing against what they do not understand, I hope you will commend the debt burden that will weigh Anambra down as revealed by Prof. Charles Soludo. May I present to you the rationale behind Obi’s savings in the State as he himself explained.
“Unfortunately, we live in a system where people do not think about tomorrow and do not plan for future generations but would prefer to obliterate accumulated income and put the state in debt before exiting office.
“These are the reasons he is qualified for leadership at any level. In fact, we need such a man for Nigeria to re-discover herself.”
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