Former Anambra State governor and Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has explained why he abolished the Office of the First Lady during his time in office, saying he believed the position had no constitutional backing and would place an unnecessary financial burden on the state.
In a video shared by Advocacy For Good Governance, Obi recalled discussing the decision with his wife, Margaret Obi, whom he acknowledged was not pleased with the move.
According to Obi, he told her that the Office of the First Lady should not exist because the occupant was not elected by the people and therefore should not hold a publicly funded position.
Reflecting on the conversation, he said he often reminded his wife that although many people were unhappy with some of his decisions, she was equally dissatisfied with his choice to scrap the office.
Obi maintained that public resources should be reserved for officials who have received a democratic mandate from voters. He said he explained to his wife that while he loved and respected her, it was he who had been elected to govern and manage public affairs, not her.
The former governor argued that government spending should be guided by constitutional responsibilities and accountability to the electorate, which informed his decision to discontinue the office during his administration.
