Former Anambra State Governor and Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi has responded to discussions surrounding his wife’s expensive fashion items, saying he does not concern himself with what she purchases with her own money.
Obi made the clarification while addressing questions surrounding his wife’s personal spending and the issue of public funds.
According to him, his wife has her own business and earns her own money, meaning that her personal purchases are separate from his responsibilities as a former public office holder.
“My wife has her own business and her own money, so what is my business if she buys expensive items with her money?” Obi said.
He added that he does not even know the prices of the bags and shoes his wife wears.
“The bags and shoes my wife wears, I don’t even know how much they cost,” he said.
The former governor further explained that his position was based on the distinction between private income and public resources.
“In fact, she is actually a bit less sophisticated now. She used to be far more sophisticated before I became governor,” Obi said.
He explained that while he was governor of Anambra State, he was responsible for managing public funds and maintained that his wife’s personal lifestyle was not an issue as long as she did not interfere with the management of government resources.
“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,” he said.
Obi also spoke about his approach to the office of the First Lady during his time as governor, saying that his administration did not create an Office of the First Lady.
“I didn’t even have an Office of the First Lady while I was governor,” he stated.
His comments come amid renewed online discussion about the cost of luxury fashion items associated with his wife. Reports circulating online have focused particularly on an expensive handbag and have prompted conversations about personal wealth, public office and the lifestyle of political figures and their families.
Obi also used the opportunity to address questions about birthday celebrations and public spending.
According to him, he does not personally celebrate his birthday, but he does not prevent other people from celebrating him.
“I don’t celebrate my own birthday, but I don’t stop people from celebrating,” he said.
He added that his participation in such celebrations would depend on whether he was expected to personally fund them.
“As long as you don’t ask me to pay the birthday bills, I will even attend if you invite me,” Obi said.
The remarks have generated further discussion online, with Nigerians debating the distinction between the personal finances of public officials and their spouses and the use of public resources.
Obi served as governor of Anambra State from 2006 to 2013, with a brief period out of office following his initial removal before returning to complete his tenure. He later became a prominent national political figure and was the Labour Party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 general election.
His comments about his wife’s spending have consequently attracted attention beyond the immediate issue of fashion, with the discussion touching on broader questions about how political families handle personal wealth while one spouse holds public office.
For Obi, however, the central point in his remarks was that his wife’s personal purchases should not be confused with the management of government resources.
His statement that he does not even know how much his wife’s bags and shoes cost has since become one of the most widely discussed parts of his response.
