Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidental candidate Peter Obi, has denied urging Nigerians living in the United Kingdom to stop supportiing dependant relatives, saying political opponents twisted his message against cushioning bad governance back home with their remittances.
In a statement titled “My Message Has Been Twisted”, posted on X on Tuesday he said he never asked Nigerians abroad to stop supporting their loved ones.
This followed backlash over comments the former Anambra governor made during a town hall meeting with diaspora supporters in Manchester on Sunday.
Obi clarified that he appreciated Nigerians in the diaspora who made sacrifices to support their families at home, stressing that his concern was the country’s dependence on remittances to meet basic needs.
“I deeply appreciate Nigerians in the diaspora who work tirelessly and make enormous sacrifices to support their families back home,” he said.
“Their remittances pay for school fees, hospital bills, rent, and feeding expenses. Their patriotism and sacrifices deserve our profound respect. I never asked them to abandon their loved ones.”
Obi said his message was aimed at drawing attention to the economic conditions forcing millions of Nigerians to rely on relatives abroad for their survival.
“My concern is that Nigeria should not remain a country where millions depend on relatives abroad for basic survival,” he said.
“Our goal must be to build a nation that provides jobs, affordable healthcare, quality education, and economic opportunities for its citizens.”
He accused political opponents of misrepresenting his comments, insisting that his position was about addressing the causes of hardship rather than discouraging financial assistance to families.
“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 said.