Former Anambra State Governor and 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has come under renewed scrutiny following his recent comments describing the Office of the First Lady as unconstitutional, after a 2009 Anambra State budget document resurfaced online showing allocations to an Office of Her Excellency.
Key Highlights
- Peter Obi reiterates opposition to the Office of the First Lady, describing it as unconstitutional.
- Resurfaced 2009 Anambra budget contains allocations under an Office of Her Excellency.
- Critics accuse Obi of inconsistency between his past administration and current position.
- Supporters argue the budget reference was linked to former Deputy Governor Virginia Ngozi Etiaba.
- Debate reignites discussions on transparency, governance, and public spending.
- Controversy highlights growing political scrutiny ahead of future elections.
Peter Obi recently sparked public debate after declaring that he would not maintain an Office of the First Lady if elected to higher office, insisting that such an arrangement lacks constitutional backing.
In a widely circulated video, Obi stated that his wife, Margaret Obi, did not contest any election and therefore should not occupy an official government office funded by taxpayers.
The former governor has consistently argued that resources allocated to the Office of the First Lady should instead be directed toward critical sectors such as education, healthcare, and social development. He has also maintained that the role of a governor’s or president’s spouse should not evolve into a parallel government structure with dedicated staff, offices, and public funding.
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Resurfaced Budget Raises Questions
The controversy intensified after a page from the 2009 Anambra State budget resurfaced on social media. The budget, listed under the Office of the Executive Governor (Head 412090201), contains a section titled “Office of Her Excellency.”
According to the document, allocations were made for personnel under the Office of Her Excellency, including:
Her Excellency: One staff position with a budget provision of ₦513,020.
Personal Assistants (Grade Level 13): Two staff positions with ₦736,200 allocated.
Additional personnel including escorts, orderlies, and security officers.
The provisions reportedly covered a total of 25 personnel, with budgetary allocations exceeding ₦1.2 million.
The document quickly gained traction online, with critics alleging that the existence of an Office of Her Excellency during Obi’s administration contradicts his present opposition to similar structures.
Supporters Offer Clarification
Supporters of the former governor have rejected claims of hypocrisy, arguing that the budget reference did not relate to Obi’s wife but rather to former Deputy Governor, Dame Virginia Ngozi Etiaba.
Etiaba served as Deputy Governor of Anambra State and briefly assumed office as acting governor during a political transition period. According to Obi’s supporters, the designation “Her Excellency” reflected Etiaba’s official status as a female deputy governor rather than the existence of a separate First Lady office.
They further contend that there was no evidence of a formally established or heavily funded Office of the First Lady during Obi’s tenure, citing his reputation for prudent financial management and fiscal discipline.
The renewed debate has brought broader questions about governance, transparency, and the constitutional role of political spouses back into public discourse.
While Obi’s critics argue that historical budget records raise legitimate questions about consistency, his supporters maintain that his long-standing advocacy against taxpayer-funded First Lady offices remains unchanged.
Political analysts note that issues surrounding public spending, accountability, and unofficial centres of influence are likely to remain significant topics as political activities intensify ahead of future elections.
The controversy also serves as a reminder that public officials’ current positions are often evaluated against records from previous administrations. Whether the Office of Her Excellency entry referred to the deputy governor or another office, the debate has reignited discussions about the appropriate boundaries between public office and private family roles within government.
