The former Governor of Anambra state recently granted an interview to reporters from Vanguard.

When he was asked how he would rate his administration, he said: I have never rated myself because I believe it will be self-indulgence. Nobody marks his papers after examination. Even in Universities, they invite external examiners now and then. For the sake of objectivity, it is better for others to do the rating.

I recall when some people came from the Nigerian Institute of Policy and Strategic studies on study tour to Anambra State. They asked me to convey people from the State to a particular place for interactive session with them as to know firsthand the peoples' feeling about our government. I insisted they should rather go to the markets with me and we did so, without security. I think they marvelled at what the saw.

The responses from people about activities in the State were most cheering. This is how people are assessed. If I had conveyed people to them, the chances were that it would be party supporters without respect for objectivity.

Some people published in the newspapers that you did not leave the money and investment of about $86 Billion as you claimed. How would you react to this?

When asked about the rumours making the rounds that he did not leave $86 Billion as he claimed by some Newspapers.

He said: I often say that there must be the lunatic fringe in all reform movements. People told me about the publication, but the only thing is that I refused to read it because they are minor distractions intended to snare the lowly minded. As far as I am concerned, I should not comment on such inanities. Pardon our disagreeing with you. It is not about the publishers of the advert, but about clarifying issues to Nigerians. On the 8th of March, I called Nigerians from all walks of life and presented what I called my "End of Tenure Report".

I explained where I met Anambra State and where we are leaving her. I made it clear that we did not borrow a dime neither did we issue bond. I mentioned our investments and savings in banks. For example, I mentioned that we saved $156 Million Dollars through buying local and foreign denominated bonds.

The Managing Directors of the banks where these money are- Fidelity, Access and Diamond Banks- were present. It baffles me that some people would come up to cast doubts on people's mind just to pull Peter Obi down. All I can say is that what we said we did, the money we said we left and all that were properly documented and certified. With the Freedom of Information Law, one can actually apply to those institutions to know if the money are there.

Let me take this opportunity to clear one misconception, I did not say I left all cash in the banks. I made it clear that some were by way of investment. For example, Anambra State invested money in some of the companies we attracted to the State. It is important to let you know that we were able to save money in the State because we made a law that Anambra must save a minimum of N100 Million Naira monthly and I obeyed it religiously.

As a governor, I supported savings by the country. Look, no matter the situation, one must save even if a kobo every month for the rainy day. Unfortunately, when one says so, one is reminded by some people that it is already raining here. The irony is that the same people saying this have private savings? When one witnesses the mindset of some of us, one shudders. Many of us are only interested in the next post and not what the future holds for us as a country.

He also denied reports that he wants to be a Senator, saying he doesn't have such ambition.

Via: Vanguard