The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has denied asking Nigerians living in the United Kingdom to stop supporting relatives who depend on them financially, insisting that his comments about the country’s economic hardship were misrepresented by political opponents.
Obi said he deeply appreciated Nigerians in the diaspora who make sacrifices to support their families back home, stressing that his concern was Nigeria’s growing dependence on remittances to meet basic needs.
In a statement titled “My Message Has Been Twisted”, posted on X on Tuesday, the former Anambra State governor clarified that he never asked Nigerians living abroad to abandon their loved ones.
“I deeply appreciate Nigerians in the diaspora who work tirelessly and make enormous sacrifices to support their families back home,” he said.
“Their remittances pay for school fees, hospital bills, rent, and feeding expenses. Their patriotism and sacrifices deserve our profound respect. I never asked them to abandon their loved ones.”
Obi explained that his message was intended to highlight the economic conditions forcing millions of Nigerians to depend on relatives abroad for survival.
“My concern is that Nigeria should not remain a country where millions depend on relatives abroad for basic survival,” he said.
“Our goal must be to build a nation that provides jobs, affordable healthcare, quality education, and economic opportunities for its citizens.”
He accused political opponents of deliberately misrepresenting his remarks, maintaining that his position was focused on addressing the root causes of economic hardship rather than discouraging Nigerians abroad from assisting their families.
“Political opponents may twist my message, but the truth remains clear: I am not asking Nigerians abroad to abandon their families. I am advocating for a Nigeria that will no longer abandon its own people,” he said.
What Obi Said During Manchester Meeting
The clarification followed criticism over comments Obi made during a town hall meeting with Nigerians living in the diaspora in Manchester on Sunday.
In a video that later went viral, Obi urged Nigerians in the UK to stop giving money to relatives and other people in Nigeria who approached them for financial assistance.
He argued that continued financial support could help people cope with hardship without necessarily addressing the underlying problems affecting the country.
“You have people at home in Nigeria today who are begging you for money. Tell them no!” he said.
Obi blamed Nigeria’s economic difficulties on poor leadership and urged Nigerians living abroad to encourage their relatives and friends at home to vote for leaders who would prioritise productivity, job creation and economic opportunities.
His latest statement seeks to clarify that his criticism was directed at a system in which millions of Nigerians depend on financial assistance from abroad, rather than at those who sacrifice to support their loved ones.
