The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has accused his political opponents of distorting his remarks urging Nigerians living in the United Kingdom to reject financial demands from people back home.
Obi insisted that he never asked Nigerians in the diaspora to abandon their families, explaining that his concern was the growing dependence of citizens on relatives abroad to meet their basic needs.
In a post on his X account on Tuesday, the former Anambra State governor said he considered it necessary to clarify his position despite an earlier statement issued by his media office.
“Even though my media office has issued a responsible clarification on the situation, I still find it necessary to add my voice to address the distortion of my message by political opponents,” he wrote.
Obi acknowledged the sacrifices made by Nigerians abroad to support their families, noting that remittances from the diaspora helped millions of people pay school fees, hospital bills, rent and feeding expenses.
“I deeply appreciate Nigerians in the diaspora who work tirelessly and make enormous sacrifices to support their families back home. Their remittances pay for school fees, hospital bills, rent, and feeding expenses. Their patriotism and sacrifices deserve our profound respect,” he said.
He maintained, however, that Nigerians should not have to depend on relatives overseas for their survival, arguing that the country needed an economy capable of providing citizens with the means to support themselves.
“I never asked them to abandon their loved ones. My concern is that Nigeria should not remain a country where millions depend on relatives abroad for basic survival,” Obi stated.
The former governor said his vision was for Nigeria to become a country where citizens could access jobs, affordable healthcare, quality education and economic opportunities without relying on financial assistance from abroad.
“Our goal must be to build a nation that provides jobs, affordable healthcare, quality education, and economic opportunities for its citizens,” he added.
Accusing his critics of misrepresenting his message, Obi said his remarks were intended to draw attention to the need for better governance and improved living conditions.
“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 wrote.
He concluded his message by wishing Nigerians at home and abroad well, saying, “God bless Nigerians at home and abroad. God bless Nigeria.”
Obi’s clarification followed his address at a town hall meeting with Nigerians in Manchester, United Kingdom, where he urged members of the diaspora to reconsider automatically responding to financial requests from relatives back home.
According to an earlier report by PUNCH, Obi told the gathering that Nigerians abroad should be willing to reject such demands, arguing that the country needed leadership capable of creating conditions in which citizens could meet their basic needs.
“You have people at home in Nigeria today who are begging you for money. Tell them no!” he said.
The remarks sparked reactions, with some interpreting them as a call for Nigerians abroad to withdraw financial support from their relatives.
Obi has now maintained that his message was not against family support but a call for a Nigeria where citizens would no longer depend on relatives overseas to survive.