The debate over Margaret Obi’s luxury handbag has taken an unexpected turn after her husband, Peter Obi, offered a glimpse into how the former Anambra State governor approaches his wife’s personal spending.
For days, attention had centred on the expensive designer bag the wife of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate was recently seen carrying, triggering heated reactions across social media and renewed scrutiny of the lifestyle of politicians and their families.
But Peter Obi says there is a simple distinction that should not be overlooked: his wife has her own business and earns her own money.
Speaking during a discussion with youths, the former governor was asked about the controversy surrounding Margaret’s lifestyle and the public interest generated by her designer accessories.
His response was emphatic — he does not see himself as responsible for what his wife chooses to buy with her personal income.
‘My wife has her own business and her own money’
Obi explained that Margaret has always managed her own financial affairs and that he does not concern himself with the prices of the bags and shoes she uses.
According to him, the fact that he is a politician does not mean his wife’s personal purchases should automatically be linked to public funds or his political activities.
“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,” he said.
His comments come at a time when the lifestyles of Nigerian political figures and their families are increasingly scrutinised, particularly during election periods when questions about wealth, spending and public accountability often become part of the political conversation.
For Obi, however, the important issue is whether his family’s private activities interfere with his handling of public resources.
Obi draws a line between family life and public money
The former Anambra governor used his own time in office to explain his position.
He said that while serving as governor, his priority was to ensure that his family’s personal lifestyle remained separate from the management of government 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 added that his approach to public office was straightforward: his wife could live her life as she chose, provided her activities did not interfere with the way he managed public funds.
“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 added.
The comment effectively shifts the conversation away from the price tag attached to a designer accessory and towards the larger question of whether a public office holder’s spouse should be judged by the same financial standards as the politician.
‘I didn’t even have an Office of the First Lady’
Obi also pointed to what he described as his unconventional approach to the office of governor.
Unlike the elaborate public roles sometimes associated with governors’ spouses, he said he did not establish an Office of the First Lady during his tenure in Anambra State.
“I didn’t even have an Office of the First Lady while I was governor,” Obi said.
He also explained that he does not personally celebrate his birthday, although he does not prevent others from marking the occasion.
His position, he suggested, is that personal celebrations should not become a burden on public finances.
“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,” he said.
The handbag debate and the bigger political question
The controversy surrounding Margaret Obi’s handbag has therefore grown beyond a discussion about fashion.
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For Obi, the central issue is not whether his wife owns an expensive item, but who paid for it and whether public resources were involved.
His response also reflects a broader argument frequently made by public officials and their families: that being married to a politician does not automatically strip a spouse of independent financial identity.
Yet such explanations rarely end the conversation, especially in Nigeria’s highly charged political environment, where the lifestyle of politicians and their families can quickly become a subject of public debate.
With the 2027 presidential election approaching and Obi once again positioning himself as a major opposition figure, even seemingly personal matters involving his family are likely to attract political attention.
For now, Obi’s message is clear: his wife has her own income, and he does not believe her personal spending should be treated as a reflection of how he managed public funds.