Former Anambra State Governor and 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi has vowed to scrap the Office of the First Lady if elected president.

Speaking at a public lecture, Obi declared:

“The Office of the First Lady was getting more money than some of our ministries. I shut it down because nobody voted for my wife… it’s me they voted for.”

According to Obi, the office is an unelected post that consumes more public funds than some ministries, a claim that has stirred both support and skepticism nationwide.

The statement, bold and direct, reflects Obi’s long-standing stance on lean governance and accountability.

He has often used his time as Anambra State governor as an example of prudent public service, touting his refusal to maintain convoys, lavish offices, or excessive security details.

But this particular claim; that he dismantled the First Lady’s office in Anambra due to wasteful spending, has come under increasing scrutiny.

9News Nigeria has questioned the accuracy of Obi’s assertion.

While his wife, Margaret Obi, was notably low-profile during his administration, no official record or executive document confirms that the Office of the First Lady was formally abolished in the state.

In fact, some argue that while the office may have been downsized or underutilized, it continued to function in informal capacities.

The controversy highlights a broader conversation about constitutional accountability.

The Office of the First Lady is not enshrined in Nigeria’s Constitution, yet First Ladies often have staff, security, and special programs funded with public resources, raising questions about oversight and necessity.

Obi’s remarks are not new. He had made similar statements during his 2023 campaign trail, echoing concerns over misplaced priorities in government.

However, with his eyes still set on national leadership, this latest comment suggests he intends to double down on his image as a frugal, no-nonsense reformer.