Onanuga Accuses Peter Obi of Failing to Clarify Diaspora Remarks

Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, has criticised the explanation offered by former Anambra State Governor and Nigeria Democratic Congress presidential candidate, Peter Obi, over his comments about Nigerians living abroad.

Onanuga insisted that Obi’s original remarks were not misrepresented by political opponents, arguing that the former governor had failed to clarify his statement made in Manchester, United Kingdom.

In a post on his X handle on Wednesday, Onanuga wrote: “Mr Peter Obi, you failed to clarify your Manchester callous statement. Nobody twisted your statement. Thank you for affirming it again.”

Obi had earlier taken to his X account on Tuesday to accuse political opponents of distorting his comments about Nigerians in the diaspora.

The former governor said he appreciated Nigerians living abroad for their sacrifices and financial support to relatives in Nigeria, noting that remittances helped families cover essential expenses, including school fees, hospital bills, rent and food.

Obi maintained that he had not asked Nigerians abroad to abandon their relatives. Rather, he said his concern was that millions of Nigerians depended on family members overseas to meet their basic needs.

He argued that Nigeria should create an environment where citizens could support themselves through employment, affordable healthcare, quality education and improved economic opportunities.

“Our goal must be to build a nation that provides jobs, affordable healthcare, quality education, and economic opportunities for its citizens,” Obi wrote.

The NDC presidential candidate added that his remarks were intended to challenge the government to address the conditions forcing many Nigerians to depend on financial support from relatives abroad.

“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 exchange highlights a disagreement between Obi and the President’s media adviser over the interpretation of the opposition candidate’s remarks on diaspora remittances and the economic challenges facing Nigerians.