The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, Peter Obi, has backtracked on his earlier remarks urging Nigerians living abroad to reject requests for money from relatives and other people back home, insisting that he never asked them to abandon their families.
Obi issued the clarification on Tuesday following reactions to his comments at a town hall meeting with Nigerians in Manchester, United Kingdom, where he told members of the audience to stop automatically responding to financial demands from home.
“You have people at home in Nigeria today who are begging you for money. Tell them no!” the former Anambra State governor had said.
The remarks sparked controversy, with some interpreting them as a call for Nigerians in the diaspora to withdraw financial support from their families.
In a post on his X account, Obi sought to distance himself from that interpretation, saying his message had been distorted by political opponents despite an earlier clarification from 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.
Seeking to soften the impact of his earlier statement, Obi praised Nigerians abroad for supporting their relatives, acknowledging that their remittances helped millions of 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.
He insisted that his concern was not about discouraging family support but about the economic conditions forcing Nigerians to depend on relatives abroad for survival.
“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 argued that Nigeria should provide an environment where citizens could earn enough to support themselves and their families without depending on money sent from overseas.
“Our goal must be to build a nation that provides jobs, affordable healthcare, quality education, and economic opportunities for its citizens,” he said.
Obi again accused unnamed political opponents of misrepresenting his position, maintaining that he was advocating better governance and improved living conditions rather than an end to financial assistance from Nigerians abroad.
“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 by wishing Nigerians at home and abroad well.
The clarification follows growing attention to Obi’s Manchester remarks, which centred on the financial burden placed on Nigerians overseas by relatives and others seeking assistance amid the country’s economic difficulties.
