Nigeria Content Online

As President
Gooodluck Jonathan officially launches his state campaign tour, all
eyes will be on his style of dressing. This is because it has been the
tradition of the president to always identify with his hosts through
their traditional attires during his state visits.

Apart from such
instances where the President has been seen dressed in other Nigerian
attires, his traditional Niger Delta attire has been seen by many as
his trademark.

While the
president’s peculiar dress code has drawn both criticism and
admiration, the man behind his wardrobe describes him as a marketer of
his culture through his customary use of the native Ijaw attire.

Looking at the
dress code of past Nigerian leaders, it could be seen that Mr Jonathan
is not the first to dress consistently in the traditional attire of his
ethnic group. Former President, Olusegun Obasanjo was always in
‘agbada’ and the traditional Yoruba cap. Shehu Shagari and the late
Umar Musa Yar’Adua were always in ‘babbanriga’ and cap, a common dress
in northern Nigeria. Fashion analysts say that this trend may be
indicative of the quest for acceptance and a statement of their
identity as Nigerians and solidarity with their own personal ethnic
groups.

Prince Oyefusi, Chief Executive of NobelAfrik believes that the leaders are trying to identify with their ethnic groups.

The president’s
official clothier, Ebi Spiff, adds said: “That is his official uniform;
portraying his culture anyone on that level should not wear things like
the British attire.” Mr Spiff, in a telephone conversation with NEXT,
said, dark colours appeal to the president and explained he selects
what the country’s number one citizen wears. “To choose his clothes, I
have to consider his mood and the occasion. He likes dark colours and
they bring out his shade.” Explaining the difference between the types
of Niger Delta attires used by the President, Mr Spiff said there are
two kinds.

“The one with the
three buttons is called Woko (jumper) while the other is called Etibo
(which is casual), but the one the president wears more often is the
Woko,” he said.

As the country awaits the different looks of the president during
his nationwide tour, he will certainly give up his trademark for most
of the days of the tour. Who knows, we may even see him in a three
piece suit.