By Ighomuaye Lucky. O
Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has come to the defence of his wife, Margaret, following a social media controversy over a luxury handbag she was reportedly seen carrying.
The handbag, identified by social media users as a Hermès Kelly 35 in Malachite, has triggered intense debate online, with estimates putting its value in the region of N237 million to N250 million, depending on the exchange rate and pricing source.
Obi, who was the Labour Party’s presidential candidate in 2023 general elections, addressed the controversy during an interview with journalist Adeola Fayehun, alongside Rudolf Okonkwo.
The interview was conducted while the former Anambra State governor was in Washington, DC, and was subsequently aired on Fayehun’s YouTube channel in September.
The controversy erupted after a video showing Margaret Obi carrying the handbag surfaced online.
Social media users quickly attempted to identify the item and determine its value, with figures running into hundreds of millions of naira circulating widely.
The reported price of the bag sparked a wave of reactions, particularly because Obi has built much of his public image around prudence, modest living and responsible management of public resources.
Critics consequently questioned whether the reported value of the handbag was consistent with the image of personal frugality often associated with the politician.
In his response, however, Obi defended his wife and pushed back against the criticism surrounding the handbag, offering his perspective on the controversy and the assumptions being made about his family’s lifestyle.
Lere Olayinka, media aide to FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, also criticised the optics, while media personality Daddy Freeze weighed into the debate.
Responding to the criticism, Obi said his wife runs her own business and has her own money, arguing that her personal spending should not be linked to his management of public funds.
“My wife has her own business and her own money, so what is my business if she buys expensive items with her money? The bags and shoes my wife wears, I don’t even know how much they cost.
“In fact, she is actually a bit less sophisticated now. She used to be far more sophisticated before I became governor. I’m managing public money, and as long as she lives her own life without interfering with my management of public funds, good luck to her.
“I didn’t even have an Office of the First Lady while I was governor. I don’t celebrate my own birthday, but I don’t stop people from celebrating. As long as you don’t ask me to pay the birthday bills, I will even attend if you invite me.”
Source: Sun
