The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, Peter Obi, has dismissed claims that he urged Nigerians living abroad to stop sending money to their families back home.
Mr Obi said his remarks had been distorted by political opponents, insisting that his concern was the country’s growing dependence on remittances from Nigerians in the diaspora to meet basic needs.
The former Anambra State governor made the clarification in a statement on Tuesday, following his remarks at a town hall meeting with Nigerians in Manchester, United Kingdom, where he urged them to reject requests for money from people back home.
He said his comments were not intended to discourage Nigerians abroad from supporting their families but to highlight the economic conditions forcing millions of citizens to depend on relatives overseas.
“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,” he said.
Mr Obi praised Nigerians in the diaspora for their sacrifices in supporting relatives, noting that remittances helped families pay school fees, hospital bills, rent and feeding expenses.
“I deeply appreciate Nigerians in the diaspora who work tirelessly and make enormous sacrifices to support their families back home. Their remittances pay for school fees, hospital bills, rent, and feeding expenses. Their patriotism and sacrifices deserve our profound respect,” he said.
He added, “I never asked them to abandon their loved ones. My concern is that Nigeria should not remain a country where millions depend on relatives abroad for basic survival.”
Mr Obi said the country needed to create an economy in which citizens could meet their needs and support their families without depending on financial assistance from relatives overseas.
He said this would require the creation of jobs, affordable healthcare, quality education and economic opportunities for Nigerians.
“Our goal must be to build a nation that provides jobs, affordable healthcare, quality education, and economic opportunities for its citizens,” he said.
The former governor accused his political opponents of deliberately misrepresenting his position, insisting that his message was about building a country capable of providing for its citizens.
“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.