Peter Obi, a former Governor of Anambra State, has explained the reasons behind his decision to pay off an accumulated pension and gratuity debt of N35 billion, which he inherited from the previous administration.

According Mr. Obi, the decision was taken due to the fact that the elderly in his state were suffering and being denied their rights.

Obi said this on Politics 101, an online event, adding that he believes that as a Christian, a labourer deserves his wages.

He said: “One faithful day, I went to church to pray. As a matter of personal policy, I do not allow my security men into the church with me because I know God is the Ultimate Protector, and we are all one before God.

“As I knelt down in prayer, an 80-year-old woman, Mrs. Ndibe, of blessed memory, came and snatched my bible. She began to lament that she, just like many others, had not been paid her pensions and gratuity. She said God would not answer my prayers unless I paid them.

“I wanted to book a private appointment with her to discuss her complaints, but she refused. Paying the accumulated gratuities and pensions was the only thing she wanted. I later paid her a visit in her house and we discussed further. She told me stories of her pains that moved me to tears. She recounted all she had passed through because she had not been paid her gratuity and pensions.”