The Anambra State Government has reached an agreement with the Amalgamated Union of Public Corporations, Civil Service Technical and Recreational Services Employees (AUPCTRE) over long-running salary arrears involving workers of the former State Water Corporation and the Anambra State Environmental Protection Agency (ANSEPA).
The Anambra salary dispute dates back to the administration of former Governor Peter Obi and has resurfaced as his record in the state comes under renewed political discussion ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
₦1.56bn Salary Arrears Agreed
Under the latest settlement, the state recognised ₦1.325 billion in outstanding salaries for former Water Corporation workers and another ₦238.19 million owed to ANSEPA workers.
The combined figure stands at approximately ₦1.563 billion.
The union agreed to accept the verified amount as full settlement, replacing an earlier claim of about ₦2.877 billion contained in a Garnishee Order.
The agreement also covers salary obligations up to December 31, 2018. The appointments of the affected workers are to be formally terminated with effect from June 2, 2015.
Former workers who meet the required conditions may receive condonation of service following a needs assessment. Those interested in returning to government service will also be considered through an interview process.
Dispute Dates Back to Obi’s Administration
The matter became the subject of legal proceedings during Peter Obi’s tenure as governor.
In July 2014, after Obi had left office, the Industrial Court in Enugu ordered the release of about ₦1.5 billion for the payment of salary arrears owed to workers of the Water Corporation and ANSEPA.
The latest settlement now provides a negotiated framework for resolving the outstanding claims.
The Anambra salary dispute has also become part of the broader political argument over Obi’s eight-year administration in the state.
2027 Political Debate
The Anambra State Government has recently accused the former governor of leaving behind unpaid salaries, pensions, gratuities and other liabilities when he left office in March 2014.
Obi has rejected those allegations. He has maintained that he left office without outstanding salary, pension or gratuity obligations and challenged the state government to provide evidence to support its claims.
The state government has responded with documents, while Obi’s camp has indicated that it is preparing a detailed response.
The salary settlement therefore provides a documented financial dispute from the period, but the agreement itself does not establish the wider political claims about Obi’s performance as governor.
As the 2027 presidential contest approaches, the issue is likely to remain part of the debate over the former governor’s record in Anambra.