The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, Peter Obi, has clarified that he never advised Nigerians living abroad to abandon their families in the country, accusing political opponents of misrepresenting his recent comments about financial support to relatives.
In a statement published on his X account on Tuesday, the former Anambra State governor said he considered it necessary to address what he described as the distortion of his message, despite an earlier clarification issued by his media office.
Obi expressed appreciation for Nigerians in the diaspora who make sacrifices to support their families back home. He noted that money sent from abroad helps many households pay school fees, hospital bills, rent and feeding expenses.
He maintained that his comments were not intended to discourage such assistance but to draw attention to the economic conditions forcing millions of Nigerians to depend on relatives overseas for their basic needs.
According to Obi, Nigeria should become a country where citizens can earn a living, access affordable healthcare, obtain quality education and support their families without having to rely on financial assistance from abroad.
He accused unnamed political opponents of deliberately twisting his remarks, insisting that his message was about the need for better governance and improved living conditions.
Obi stated that his objective was to build a country that would not abandon its citizens, adding that Nigerians at home and abroad deserved a nation that provided opportunities for people to meet their basic needs.
He concluded his statement by praying for Nigerians in the country and in the diaspora, as well as for the nation.
The clarification followed a town hall meeting with Nigerians in Manchester, United Kingdom, where Obi urged attendees to reconsider automatically responding to financial requests from relatives and other people in Nigeria.
According to a report by PUNCH Online, Obi told the gathering that Nigerians living abroad should be willing to reject requests for money from people back home, arguing that the country needed leadership capable of creating conditions in which citizens could provide for themselves.
He was quoted as telling attendees: “You have people at home in Nigeria today who are begging you for money. Tell them no!”
The remarks generated public reactions, with some interpreting them as a call for Nigerians abroad to withdraw financial assistance from their families.
Obi’s subsequent clarification sought to distinguish his criticism of economic dependence from the personal sacrifices made by Nigerians overseas to support their loved ones.
Credit: PUNCH
