Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, has defended his recent comments urging Nigerians living in the United Kingdom to reconsider automatically responding to financial requests from relatives and others in Nigeria.
The former Anambra State governor said his remarks had been misrepresented by political opponents, stressing that he never called on Nigerians in the diaspora to abandon their families or stop supporting loved ones at home.
Obi explained that his concern was the economic situation that leaves millions of Nigerians dependent on relatives abroad to meet basic needs.
In a post on his X account on Tuesday, he said the clarification previously issued by his media office had not stopped what he described as a distortion of his message.
“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 living abroad to support their families, noting that money sent home helps many people pay for essential needs.
“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.
According to Obi, his comments were intended to highlight the need for an economy in which Nigerians can provide for themselves and their families rather than depend heavily on financial assistance from abroad.
“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.
He said the country needed policies capable of creating jobs, improving access to healthcare and education, and expanding economic opportunities for citizens.
“Our goal must be to build a nation that provides jobs, affordable healthcare, quality education, and economic opportunities for its citizens,” he said.
Reaffirming his position, Obi accused his political opponents of deliberately misrepresenting his remarks, saying his focus remained on improving governance and living conditions in Nigeria.
“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 ended his post by extending his goodwill to Nigerians both within the country and overseas, saying, “God bless Nigerians at home and abroad. God bless Nigeria.”
The clarification came after Obi made the original remarks at a town hall meeting with Nigerians in Manchester, United Kingdom.
According to a PUNCH Online report, Obi had urged Nigerians living abroad to resist automatically giving in to financial demands from people back home, arguing that the country needed leadership that would enable citizens to meet their basic needs.
“You have people at home in Nigeria today who are begging you for money. Tell them no!” he said.
The comments subsequently attracted reactions, with some interpreting them as a call for Nigerians in the diaspora to stop providing financial support to relatives in Nigeria.