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, saying his comments about Nigeria’s economic hardship were misrepresented.
Obi said he appreciated Nigerians in the diaspora who made sacrifices to support their families back home, noting that their remittances helped pay for school fees, hospital bills, rent and food.
In a statement titled “My Message Has Been Twisted”, published on X on Tuesday, the former Anambra State governor said he never asked Nigerians 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 patriotism and sacrifices deserve our profound respect. I never asked them to abandon their loved ones.”
Obi said his concern was Nigeria’s dependence on financial support from relatives abroad to meet basic needs.
He argued that the country should create an environment where citizens could access jobs, affordable healthcare, quality education and other economic opportunities without relying on family members overseas.
“My concern is that Nigeria should not remain a country where millions depend on relatives abroad for basic survival,” he said.
He accused political opponents of twisting his message, insisting that his position was aimed at addressing the causes of economic hardship rather than discouraging financial support for families.
“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 added.
The clarification followed criticism of comments Obi made during a town hall meeting with diaspora supporters in Manchester on Sunday.
In a video that circulated widely online, Obi urged Nigerians in the UK to refuse requests for money from relatives and others in Nigeria, arguing that such assistance could ease immediate hardship without addressing its underlying causes.
“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 abroad to encourage their relatives and friends at home to vote for leaders who would prioritise productivity and economic opportunities.
His latest statement sought to distinguish his criticism of the country’s economic dependence on remittances from the personal sacrifices Nigerians abroad make to support their families.
