Peter Obi’s wife, Margaret, faces backlash over alleged ₦237m Hermès handbag

Wife of the 2027 presidential candidate of the Nigerian Democratic Congress, NDC, Peter Obi, Margaret Obi, has faced backlash on social media over a luxury handbag she was reportedly seen carrying at an event.

In a viral video, Margaret was seen with a handbag that social media users identified as a Hermès Kelly 35 in Malachite. Online commentators claimed the bag is listed on the Hermès website for £131,938.81, which they estimated at about ₦237 million.

The reported price of the handbag has sparked mixed reactions, with some Nigerians criticising Margaret for carrying an item they consider excessively expensive, while others argued that she has the right to purchase whatever she can afford.

Lere Olayinka, a media aide to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, also joined the debate, questioning the image of prudence often associated with Peter Obi.

In a post on X, Olayinka argued that the reported cost of the handbag was inconsistent with Obi’s public image as a frugal politician.

“The issue is, her husband should stop lying and presenting himself as a prudent person,” he said.

Olayinka also referenced calls for supporters to contribute ₦1,000 towards Obi’s campaign, arguing that the reported cost of the handbag would be equivalent to contributions from hundreds of thousands of Nigerians.

However, media personality Daddy Freeze said he had no issue with Margaret carrying a luxury handbag, noting that Peter Obi was wealthy before entering public office.

“I have no problem with Peter Obi’s wife carrying a luxury bag; her husband is a billionaire. He was rich before he came into government,” he said.

Daddy Freeze, however, questioned Obi’s repeated claims about owning only one pair of shoes and one wristwatch, arguing that the lifestyle associated with the family could appear inconsistent with the image of extreme modesty he projects.

Human rights lawyer Deji Adeyanju also described the criticism of Margaret’s handbag as unnecessary, saying there was nothing wrong with her carrying a luxury item.

Adeyanju, however, argued that the controversy was partly driven by what he described as previous claims about the family’s modest lifestyle, which he said had caused some Nigerians to react negatively to the reported luxury purchase.