The Democracy and Good Governance Watch Initiative (DGGWI), a coalition of civil society organisations, has criticised former presidential candidate Peter Obi over his reported call for Nigerians in the Diaspora to stop sending money to relatives seeking financial assistance, describing the position as irresponsible and economically dangerous.

In a press statement issued in Lagos on Thursday, October 22, 2026, the group accused Obi of making provocative statements that could undermine family relationships and worsen the economic difficulties faced by vulnerable households.

DGGWI said it was concerned that a former governor and presidential candidate would make such a recommendation, arguing that political disagreements should not encourage actions capable of jeopardising the welfare of families dependent on financial support from relatives abroad.

The organisation maintained that constructive opposition was essential to democracy but insisted that political leaders must demonstrate sound economic reasoning, emotional intelligence and responsibility in their public statements.

It warned that calls for the withdrawal of financial assistance, without a clear explanation of the circumstances or a viable alternative for affected households, could create unnecessary economic uncertainty and deepen hardship.

To underscore the importance of remittances, DGGWI cited figures from the World Bank’s Migration and Development Brief 40, which estimated that global remittance flows to low- and middle-income countries reached $656 billion in 2023 and rose to approximately $685 billion in 2024.

According to the group, Diaspora remittances help millions of households meet essential needs, including school fees, healthcare, food, accommodation and emergency expenses. Such transfers also stimulate economic activities in local communities by supporting traders, transport operators, artisans and small businesses.

The organisation said remittances were particularly important to Nigeria, where money sent home by citizens living and working abroad supplements household incomes, provides foreign exchange, supports education and healthcare, and helps families cope with economic hardship.

It noted that many Nigerian households depend on relatives abroad to pay for medicines, feed children, support elderly parents and meet other essential obligations, adding that such assistance was often a lifeline rather than a luxury.

“Economic hardship should not be compounded by political rhetoric that could question family support without providing a viable alternative. The answer to poverty is not to abandon vulnerable relatives but to create an economy in which families can earn sufficient incomes, businesses can thrive and citizens can live with dignity,” the statement said.

DGGWI acknowledged that Nigerians in the Diaspora had the fundamental right to determine how to spend their hard-earned money, including whether to assist relatives and how much to provide.

However, it argued that political leaders should distinguish between encouraging financial accountability and advocating a blanket withdrawal of support from vulnerable family members.

The group also called on political leaders and presidential aspirants to exercise restraint when making statements that could affect the welfare of ordinary Nigerians.

It urged Obi to explain how his reported position would protect vulnerable households, strengthen family relationships, stimulate local economic activity and address the underlying causes of poverty.

“If Mr. Obi believes that his political message is the solution to Nigeria’s economic problems, he owes Nigerians a convincing explanation of how that message will translate into jobs, affordable food, accessible healthcare, quality education and improved living standards,” the group stated.

DGGWI further argued that the ability to criticise government policies or make economic recommendations did not automatically translate into the competence required to manage a complex national economy.

According to the organisation, presidential leadership requires a comprehensive understanding of public finance, monetary and fiscal policy, trade, investment, employment, social protection, industrial development and the relationship between domestic and international economic activities.

It challenged Obi to move beyond political slogans and demonstrate how his proposed economic direction would deliver measurable improvements in household welfare, productivity, investment and national development.

The group also urged him to focus on developing credible economic policies rather than making what it described as reckless and provocative pronouncements capable of weakening family bonds among Nigerians at home and abroad.

DGGWI called on Nigerians in the Diaspora to continue making informed personal decisions about financial assistance while demanding accountability from elected officials and supporting policies that promote self-reliance, productive employment and economic prosperity.

The statement was signed by Gbenga Soloki, Nelson Ekujumi and Michael Popoola Ajayi on behalf of the organisation.