The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has clarified his controversial remarks urging Nigerians living in the United Kingdom to reject financial demands from relatives back home, insisting that he never asked them to abandon their families.
Obi said his comments had been misrepresented by political opponents, stressing that his message was aimed at highlighting Nigeria’s growing dependence on financial support from citizens living abroad rather than discouraging family members from helping one another.
The former Anambra State governor made the clarification in a post on his X account on Tuesday, noting that he considered it necessary to address what he described as the distortion of his message 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 wrote.
Obi acknowledged the significant contributions of Nigerians in the diaspora, particularly those who regularly send money to support relatives struggling with the rising cost of living and other financial challenges in the country.
According to him, remittances from Nigerians abroad remain a vital source of support for millions of households, helping families cover essential expenses, including school fees, medical bills, rent and food.
“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 stated.
However, Obi argued that Nigeria must develop an economy in which citizens can meet their basic needs without depending on relatives living overseas for financial assistance.
He maintained that his position was not a call for Nigerians abroad to withdraw support from their loved ones but an appeal for better governance and economic conditions that would enable people to become financially independent.
“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 said.
The NDC presidential candidate added that Nigeria should prioritise job creation, accessible healthcare, quality education and broader economic opportunities to reduce the financial burden on citizens living outside the country.
He said his vision was for a nation where people could secure decent livelihoods and provide for their families without having to rely on money sent from abroad.
“Our goal must be to build a nation that provides jobs, affordable healthcare, quality education, and economic opportunities for its citizens,” he added.
Responding to criticism over his earlier comments, Obi accused his political opponents of deliberately misinterpreting his message, arguing that his position was rooted in the need to build a country capable of meeting the needs of its people.
“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 his statement by extending his goodwill to Nigerians both at home and abroad, adding, “God bless Nigerians at home and abroad. God bless Nigeria.”
Controversial Remarks at Manchester Town Hall
Obi’s clarification followed his address at a town hall meeting with Nigerians in Manchester, United Kingdom, where he urged members of the diaspora to reconsider how they respond to financial requests from relatives back home.
During the meeting, the former governor reportedly expressed concern that many Nigerians had become dependent on relatives abroad to meet their everyday needs, arguing that the situation reflected deeper economic and governance challenges.
According to an earlier report by PUNCH, Obi urged Nigerians living overseas to be prepared to turn down requests for money from people back home, insisting that the country needed leadership capable of creating an environment where citizens could provide for themselves.
“You have people at home in Nigeria today who are begging you for money. Tell them no!” he said.
The statement attracted criticism and sparked debate, with some interpreting it as an attempt to discourage Nigerians in the diaspora from supporting their families financially.
Others viewed the remarks as a call for Nigerians to confront the country’s economic challenges and demand a system that does not leave millions dependent on relatives abroad for their survival.
In his latest response, however, Obi sought to draw a distinction between discouraging financial dependence and rejecting family responsibility, maintaining that his comments had been taken out of context.
His clarification places the emphasis on the need for a more productive economy, improved public services and effective governance, which he believes would reduce the pressure on Nigerians abroad to shoulder the financial responsibilities of their families back home.
