The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has denied asking Nigerians living in the United Kingdom to stop sending money to relatives back home, saying his comments on diaspora remittances were misrepresented.
Obi explained that his message was not intended to discourage Nigerians abroad from supporting their families but to highlight the need for an economy that allows citizens to meet their basic needs without depending on financial assistance from overseas.
The former Anambra State governor made the clarification in a statement titled “My Message Has Been Twisted,” published on his X account on Tuesday.
He acknowledged the contributions of Nigerians in the diaspora, noting that their financial support helps millions of people in Nigeria pay for essential needs, including education, healthcare, accommodation and food.
“I deeply appreciate Nigerians in the diaspora who work tirelessly and make enormous sacrifices to support their families back home,” Obi 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 concern was the growing dependence on money sent from abroad, arguing that Nigeria needed an economic system capable of providing employment, affordable healthcare, quality education and sustainable opportunities for its citizens.
“My concern is that Nigeria should not remain a country where millions depend on relatives abroad for basic survival,” he stated.
“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 twisting his message, insisting that his position was focused on addressing the underlying causes of economic hardship rather than encouraging Nigerians abroad to withdraw support from their 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 added.
The clarification followed reactions to comments Obi made during a town hall meeting with Nigerians living in Manchester on Sunday.
A video from the meeting circulated widely on social media after the NDC presidential candidate urged Nigerians in the UK to reconsider giving money to people at home who regularly approached them for financial assistance.
“You have people at home in Nigeria today who are begging you for money. Tell them no!” he said.
During the meeting, Obi argued that although financial assistance could provide temporary relief, it would not resolve the structural problems responsible for Nigeria’s economic difficulties.
He attributed the country’s hardship to poor leadership and urged Nigerians in the diaspora to encourage their relatives and friends at home to support leaders committed to productivity, economic growth and job creation.
His latest statement sought to clarify the distinction between questioning Nigeria’s dependence on diaspora remittances and appreciating the sacrifices of citizens who send money home to support their loved ones.
Obi maintained that his position was centred on building an economy where Nigerians could access basic necessities and earn sustainable incomes without being forced to depend on relatives living abroad.
The controversy comes as economic hardship and the rising cost of living continue to place pressure on households, with financial support from family members abroad serving as an important source of income for many Nigerians.
