The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, Peter Obi, has denied asking Nigerians living abroad to abandon their families in Nigeria, saying his comments about financial demands from home were misrepresented by political opponents.
Obi said his remarks were intended to draw attention to the economic challenges forcing many Nigerians to depend on relatives overseas for basic necessities.
The former Anambra State governor made the clarification in a post on his X account on Tuesday, following reactions to his comments during a town hall meeting with Nigerians in Manchester, United Kingdom.
He said he appreciated Nigerians in the diaspora who made sacrifices to support their families, noting that their financial contributions helped cover essential expenses.
“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,” Obi stated.
He added that his remarks were not intended to discourage family members abroad from providing financial assistance to their loved ones.
“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 said.
Obi argued that the country needed to create an enabling environment where citizens could meet their needs without relying heavily on financial support from relatives overseas.
According to him, the government should prioritise job creation, affordable healthcare, quality education and economic opportunities to improve the living conditions of Nigerians.
“Our goal must be to build a nation that provides jobs, affordable healthcare, quality education, and economic opportunities for its citizens,” he added.
The former governor also accused political opponents of distorting his message, insisting that his position was centred on improving governance and reducing economic hardship.
“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,” Obi wrote.
His clarification followed comments he made at the Manchester town hall, where he urged Nigerians living abroad not to automatically yield to financial demands from people back home.
“You have people at home in Nigeria today who are begging you for money. Tell them no!” he had told the gathering.
The remarks generated mixed reactions, with some interpreting them as a call for Nigerians in the diaspora to stop supporting their relatives financially.
Obi, however, maintained that his concern was the need to build a country where citizens could provide for themselves and their families without depending on remittances from abroad.
