Peter Obi Accused of Lying About Scrapping First Lady’s Office

Viral Video and Fact-Check Claims Spark Online Controversy Over Labour Party Presidential Candidate’s Statement

Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate and former governor of Anambra State, is facing backlash online after a resurfaced video shows him claiming he abolished the Office of the First Lady during his time in office. The claim has since been challenged by social media users and fact-checked by X’s Community Notes feature.

In the video, Obi says he eliminated the Office of the First Lady because it received more funding than some ministries. He added that while he deeply respected and loved his wife, Margaret Obi, she was unelected and therefore should not wield political influence.

“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,” Obi stated in the clip.

Social Media User Accuses Peter Obi of Deceit

A user on X, @abdullahayofel, accused Obi of misleading the public, calling him “419” — a common Nigerian slang for fraud. The user shared an old photo and wrote:

“It’s clear now to everyone that this man is 419. You had an Office of the First Lady during your tenure in Anambra.”

Community Notes Contradicts Obi’s Statement

Adding to the controversy, X’s Community Notes, an AI-powered fact-checking tool, indicated that Margaret Obi did, in fact, function as First Lady during her husband’s administration, contradicting Obi’s claim that the office was scrapped.

Mixed Reactions Flood Social Media

The post sparked heated debate among Nigerians online, with users expressing both support and criticism:

• @Rotleo3819: “He was just telling them what they want to hear. Obi the god of lamba.”
• @Osikhena2014: “Focus on your failed government. He came third, yet he’s giving you high blood pressure.”
• @idemeko64612: “This is a lie, Ayofe. Peter Obi never had an Office of the First Lady. Stop twisting history.”
• @dr90ng: “This reminds me of pyramid scheme seminars. Multi-level stupidity.”
• @medoro6911: “This man na real guy man. Goodluck Jonathan talked more — look what happened.”

Conclusion

The viral video and subsequent fact-check have reignited scrutiny of Peter Obi’s tenure as governor of Anambra State. With rising public interest and political tensions ahead of future elections, transparency and historical accuracy continue to be critical points of debate in Nigeria’s political landscape.