Obi Denies Asking UK-Based Nigerians To Stop Supporting Families Back Home
Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has denied asking Nigerians living in the United Kingdom to stop sending money to their relatives at home, insisting that his comments on the country’s economic hardship were misrepresented by political opponents.
Obi said he appreciated Nigerians in the diaspora who made significant sacrifices to support their families, noting that their remittances helped millions of people meet essential needs, including school fees, hospital bills, rent and feeding.
In a statement titled “My Message Has Been Twisted”, published on his X account on Tuesday, the former Anambra State governor said he never asked Nigerians abroad to abandon their loved ones.
“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 explained that his concern was the economic situation in Nigeria, which he said had left millions of citizens dependent on financial assistance from relatives abroad to meet their basic needs.
“My concern is that Nigeria should not remain a country where millions depend on relatives abroad for basic survival,” he stated.
He added that Nigeria should strive to create an economy capable of providing jobs, affordable healthcare, quality education and opportunities for citizens to earn a decent living without depending on relatives overseas.
The NDC presidential candidate accused his political opponents of twisting his message, maintaining that his position was aimed at addressing the root causes of poverty and economic hardship rather than discouraging family support.
“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.
The clarification followed criticism of comments he made during a town hall meeting with Nigerians in Manchester on Sunday.
In a video that circulated widely on social media, Obi urged Nigerians in the UK to reconsider giving money to relatives and others who repeatedly sought financial assistance from them, arguing that such support could provide temporary relief without resolving the underlying economic problems.
“You have people at home in Nigeria today who are begging you for money. Tell them no!” he said.
Obi attributed Nigeria’s economic difficulties to poor leadership and urged Nigerians in the diaspora to encourage their relatives and friends at home to support leaders committed to productivity, job creation and economic opportunities.
His clarification sought to draw a distinction between discouraging financial assistance to struggling families and advocating an economic system in which Nigerians can meet their basic needs without relying on remittances from abroad.
