Peter Obi Denies Telling UK-Based Nigerians to Stop Sending Money Home

The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has denied asking Nigerians living in the United Kingdom to abandon relatives who depend on them for financial support, saying his comments on the country’s economic hardship were misrepresented by political opponents.

Obi clarified his position in a statement titled “My Message Has Been Twisted”, published on X on Tuesday, in which he praised Nigerians in the diaspora for their sacrifices in supporting families back home.

The former Anambra State governor said money sent home by Nigerians abroad helps relatives pay for school fees, medical bills, rent and food, adding that their contributions deserve recognition rather than condemnation.

“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 Nigeria’s growing dependence on financial support from relatives abroad to meet basic needs, arguing that the country should create conditions that allow citizens to provide for themselves.

“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.”

He accused political opponents of twisting his message, insisting that his comments were intended to highlight the underlying causes of economic hardship rather than discourage Nigerians abroad from helping 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.

Backlash Over Manchester Town Hall Remarks

The clarification followed criticism of comments Obi made during a town hall meeting with diaspora supporters in Manchester on Sunday.

In a video that circulated widely on social media, Obi urged Nigerians living in the UK to refuse requests for money from relatives and others in Nigeria, arguing that such assistance could provide temporary relief without resolving the broader economic challenges facing the country.

“You have people at home in Nigeria today who are begging you for money. Tell them no!” he said.

The remarks sparked debate over the responsibilities of Nigerians abroad towards their families amid rising living costs and economic difficulties at home.

While some interpreted his comments as a call to stop sending money to relatives, Obi’s latest statement maintains that he was drawing attention to the need for lasting economic solutions.

Obi Blames Leadership for Economic Hardship

Obi also linked Nigeria’s economic difficulties to poor leadership, urging Nigerians in the diaspora to encourage their relatives and friends at home to support leaders who prioritise productivity, employment and economic opportunities.

He argued that the long-term solution should involve building an economy in which citizens can access jobs, healthcare and education without depending heavily on financial assistance from family members overseas.

His clarification seeks to distinguish between supporting loved ones and addressing the national conditions that make such support necessary.

The controversy comes amid continuing public debate over the cost of living, the role of diaspora remittances in household survival and the responsibility of political leaders to improve economic opportunities in Nigeria.

Obi maintained that his position was not against family support but in favour of a country where fewer citizens are forced to rely on relatives abroad to meet their everyday needs.