The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has accused his political opponents of deliberately distorting his remarks urging Nigerians in the United Kingdom to reject financial requests from people back home.
Obi, who is seeking the presidency in the 2027 election, denied asking Nigerians abroad to abandon their families, insisting that his message was aimed at addressing the poor governance and economic hardship forcing millions to depend on relatives overseas.
In a fresh statement titled “My Message Has Been Twisted,” the former Anambra State governor said he decided to personally address the controversy despite an earlier clarification 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 stated.
The controversy followed Obi’s remarks during a town hall meeting with supporters in Manchester, United Kingdom, on Sunday, where he urged Nigerians abroad to reject appeals for financial assistance from home and encourage their relatives to demand better political leadership.
“You have people at home in Nigeria today who are begging you for money. Tell them no!” Obi had declared.
The statement attracted criticism, with some interpreting it as a call for Nigerians in the diaspora to stop supporting struggling relatives.
However, Obi maintained that he never intended to discourage financial assistance to families, acknowledging the sacrifices made by Nigerians living overseas.
“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.
The NDC presidential candidate explained that his concern was Nigeria’s continued dependence on financial support from citizens abroad to meet basic needs.
“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,” he stated.
Obi argued that the country needed a government capable of providing employment, affordable healthcare, quality education, and economic opportunities for its citizens.
He accused political opponents of misrepresenting his message, insisting that his position remained focused on improving 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 declared.
