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Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has defended his wife, Margaret, amid controversy over a luxury handbag reportedly worth hundreds of millions of naira.
Obi spoke in an interview conducted by Adeola Fayehun, with Rudolf Okonkwo, which was a live YouTube session on September, while he was in Washington, DC.
The controversy followed the circulation of a video showing Margaret carrying what social media users identified as a Hermès Kelly 35 bag in Malachite. Netizens estimated the bag’s official retail price at about £131,938, equivalent to roughly ₦237 million to ₦250 million at 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.”
Obi’s response places the focus of the controversy on the distinction between his personal financial choices and those of his wife, as debate over the luxury handbag continues across social media.
