Don't borrow for weddings, use money for family, says Nigeria's Peter Obi

Peter Obi, the presidential candidate for the Nigeria Democratic Congress, has advised Nigerians to abandon ostentatious wedding celebrations, advocating instead for prioritizing family financial well-being. Obi, known for his reputation for frugality, made these remarks at the David and Goliath Conference in Abuja.

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I do not see how we can carry the money, call people, entertain them, and then go home and start quarrelling.

"I do not see how we can carry the money, call people, entertain them, and then go home and start quarrelling," Obi stated, recounting his own 30-year marriage where guest lists were kept to a dozen people. He emphasized that the financial strain from large weddings often leads to marital friction and debt, urging people to use such funds for essential needs like school fees or to simply celebrate modestly.

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They will quarrel because the man now becomes annoyed over little things. What is annoying him is the money he spent on wine carrying and the wedding.

Beyond personal finance, Obi also addressed Nigeria's persistent power generation challenges. He drew a stark comparison with Egypt, noting that while Egypt had expanded its capacity to over 45,000 megawatts by 2021 and now exports power, Nigeria lags significantly behind. Obi suggested that the issue is not a lack of technical capability but a "Nigerian problem," implying systemic inefficiencies.

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As we speak, Egypt exports power to Europe because they are now producing more than its needs. It is an African country. It is not rocket science.