The National Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate, Peter Obi has come under heavy criticism following controversy over a luxury handbag reportedly carried by his wife, Margaret.
Media aide to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, Lere Olayinka, is among those who took a swipe at the former governor of Anambra State.
Olayinka questioned Obi’s repeated portrayal of himself as a prudent and modest politician, arguing that the reported value of his wife’s handbag contradicted the image he projects to the public.
The controversy erupted after a viral video showed Margaret Obi carrying a handbag identified by social media users as a Hermès Kelly 35 in Malachite.
The bag was reportedly listed on the Hermès website for £131,938.81, with online commentators estimating its value at about N237 million.
Reacting to the development in a post on his X handle, Olayinka said Obi should stop presenting himself as excessively frugal while his family is associated with expensive luxury items.
“The issue is, her husband should stop lying and presenting himself as a prudent person,” Olayinka said.
He also criticised Obi’s campaign fundraising strategy, particularly appeals for small donations from supporters.
“You want the people to donate N1,000 to fund your campaign, but your wife is using one bag that will take the contribution of N1,000 by 250,000 Nigerians to buy? That’s a fraud,” he added.
Olayinka acknowledged that Margaret had the right to spend her money as she wished but argued that the controversy raised questions about the lifestyle surrounding a politician who has consistently cultivated an image of modesty.
“For those of you who will say, it is her money or her husband’s money. Yes, you are right,” he said.
“But if as a private citizen, the wife of a supposed prudent man can buy a single bag worth over N250m, you can do a guess as to the cost of bags she will buy with public funds.”
The handbag controversy has generated mixed reactions, with some Nigerians criticising the reported price while others argued that Margaret Obi’s choice of accessories was a private matter.
Popular media personality Daddy Freeze said he had no problem with Margaret carrying a luxury handbag but questioned whether the lifestyle associated with the Obi family was consistent with Peter Obi’s claims of personal modesty.
Human rights lawyer Deji Adeyanju also described the criticism of the handbag as unnecessary, noting that Peter Obi is wealthy.
However, Adeyanju said some Nigerians were uncomfortable because of what he described as the Obis’ previous public portrayal of modesty.
He urged Obi to “be yourself” and stop what he described as “drama and acting” ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
Peter Obi is yet to publicly responded to Olayinka’s latest criticism over the handbag controversy.
