Lucky Obukohwo Reporting
Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has defended his wife, Margaret, following controversy surrounding a luxury handbag she was reportedly seen carrying, with its value estimated at hundreds of millions of naira.
Truth Live News International reports that Obi made the remarks during an interview conducted by Adeola Fayehun alongside Rudolf Okonkwo.
The interview, recorded while Obi was in Washington, DC, was later aired on Fayehun’s YouTube channel in September.
The controversy began after a video surfaced online showing Margaret carrying a handbag that social media users identified as a Hermès Kelly 35 in Malachite.
According to estimates circulated online, the bag’s official retail price is about £131,938, translating to approximately N237 million to N250 million based on the prevailing exchange rate.
The video generated widespread reactions online, with critics questioning the image of personal frugality that has long been associated with Obi.
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.”
