“Even if My Wife Cheats on Me, That’s Her Business—I’m Not Leaving” – Peter Obi

In a recent appearance on the YouTube podcast The Honest Bunch, Peter Obi, the Labour Party Presidential Candidate and former Governor of Anambra State, shared candid thoughts on marriage, faith, and societal issues, sparking widespread public debate. Obi spoke openly about his unwavering commitment to his wife of 32 years, Margaret Usen, expressing that divorce would never be an option for him under any circumstances.

“No matter what my wife does today, I will never stop being married to her, and I will never separate from her; even if she were to take a gun to shoot me, I will never leave her. As long as I am alive, I won’t marry another woman. She is my wife,” Obi stated.

The 63-year-old politician elaborated, emphasizing that his devotion to his marriage remains firm, regardless of any challenges they might face. He explained that even if his wife were unfaithful, he would not consider it a personal affront, reiterating, “If she has an affair, that’s her business. What can she do that will offend me?”

The former governor highlighted their distinct lifestyles, citing travel preferences as one example. “When we travel, she might be in business class or first class while I’m in economy on the same plane. It doesn’t bother me because it suits her,” he said, underscoring the flexibility and independence within their marriage.

Obi and Margaret, who married in 1992, share two children, Gabrielle Nwamaka and Oseloka Obi.

Controversial Views on Religion and Productivity

During the interview, Obi delved into broader social topics, including politics, religion, and Nigeria’s economic challenges. His comments on religious practices, in particular, attracted substantial public attention. Obi argued that Nigeria’s focus on political and religious activities has overshadowed nation-building and economic productivity, contributing to widespread poverty.

“I’m not happy in Nigeria; we can’t continue to breed poverty—that’s not leadership,” he remarked. He went on to suggest that religious practices like night vigils might be reimagined as “night shifts” to foster productivity.

“While I go to church and believe in God, we cannot have people attending church from Monday to Friday, morning and night,” Obi stated. “If you drive around, the only signboards you see are churches. In the east, it’s all burials—that’s not a productive society. In other countries, you see products.”

Response and Clarification

Obi’s comments ignited a heated public debate, with some Nigerians interpreting his statements as undermining traditional religious practices. In response, his media aide, Ibrahim Umar, issued a clarification, stating that Obi’s message was misrepresented and emphasizing his respect for religion.

The statement read, “Our attention has been drawn to a massive twist in his recent media interview, claiming he called for dismantling churches in Nigeria. This misinterpretation distorts Obi’s message, which aimed to highlight how faith could be more effective when combined with work.”

Umar emphasized Obi’s commitment to a balanced approach, citing the biblical teaching, “Faith without works is unhelpful.” He clarified that Obi’s reference to turning night vigils into productive night shifts was intended to encourage Nigerians to combine worship with tangible actions that contribute to society.

The aide also pointed out that Jesus Christ chose his disciples from among working individuals, not idle ones, emphasizing the scriptural value of combining faith with work. “The Labour Party leader respects all religions and merely aimed to encourage a culture where prayer and productivity coexist,” Umar added.