By Nicholas Ojo
The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has defended his controversial remarks urging Nigerians in the United Kingdom to reject requests for financial assistance from relatives at home, accusing political opponents of twisting his message.
Key Highlights
- Peter Obi says his Manchester remarks on financial requests from relatives were misrepresented.
- He told Nigerians in the UK on October 18: “You have people at home who are begging you for money. Tell them no.”
- Obi insists he is not asking Nigerians abroad to abandon their families.
- He says Nigeria should not remain a country where millions depend on relatives abroad to survive.
- The NDC candidate accuses political opponents of twisting his message ahead of 2027.
Obi said he never asked Nigerians living abroad to abandon their families, but wanted an end to a situation where millions of citizens depend on relatives overseas to afford basic necessities.
In a statement on Tuesday, the former governor of Anambra State said his comments during a town hall meeting with Nigerians in Manchester, United Kingdom, had been misrepresented amid growing criticism of his appeal.
“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,” Obi said.
He added that Nigerians in the diaspora deserve recognition for the financial sacrifices they make to support their families back home.
“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.”
What Obi Said In Manchester
The controversy followed Obi’s remarks at the Manchester meeting on Sunday, October 18, where he urged Nigerians in the UK to reject requests for money from people at home as part of his appeal for support ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
“You have people at home who are begging you for money. Tell them no,” Obi said.
His comments triggered criticism because many Nigerian households depend on remittances from relatives abroad to pay for food, school fees, medical bills, rent and other essential expenses amid the country’s economic hardship.
Obi, however, insisted that his message was not an instruction for Nigerians abroad to cut off their loved ones, but a call for political change and an economy that allows citizens to meet their needs without relying on family members overseas.
“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.”
The former governor also accused political opponents of exploiting the controversy for political purposes, insisting that his central argument was the failure of governance to provide Nigerians with decent living conditions.
“Political opponents may twist my message, but the truth remains clear: I am not asking Nigerians abroad to abandon their families,” he said.
“I am advocating for a Nigeria that will no longer abandon its own people.”
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Corruption And Public Funds
During the Manchester meeting, Obi also presented himself as a less corrupt alternative to other political leaders and urged Nigerians to support his presidential ambition.
He argued that corruption and the alleged diversion of public funds had contributed to the poor state of public infrastructure, particularly schools and hospitals.
“Let’s put somebody who has proven… I said I’m not a saint, but at least I have said something,” he said, challenging other former governors to demonstrate comparable savings from their time in office.
“So, let’s start with this one who is maybe less corrupt. We are not saying it is all, but let’s not pretend it is not happening.”
Obi further criticised the alleged use of public funds to acquire properties abroad, arguing that resources that should have been invested in public services were being diverted for private benefit.
He maintained that Nigeria needed leadership capable of tackling corruption and addressing the economic conditions forcing millions of citizens to depend on financial support from abroad.
The controversy has placed renewed attention on the role of diaspora remittances in sustaining Nigerian households, with many families relying on money sent home to meet basic needs that their incomes can no longer adequately cover.
Obi concluded his statement by reiterating that his objective was not to sever family ties but to build a country where citizens would no longer be forced to depend on relatives overseas for survival.
“God bless Nigerians at home and abroad. God bless Nigeria,” he said.
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