Obi: I never asked Nigerians abroad to abandon families
Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, Peter Obi, has denied asking Nigerians living abroad to abandon their families, saying his comments were intended to highlight the economic hardship forcing millions of citizens to depend on relatives overseas.
Obi accused his political opponents of distorting his message to Nigerians in the diaspora, insisting that he was advocating better governance and economic opportunities, not an end to family support.
*Peter Obi
Abimbola Joseph
Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, Peter Obi, has denied asking Nigerians living abroad to abandon their families, saying his comments were intended to highlight the economic hardship forcing millions of citizens to depend on relatives overseas.
Obi accused his political opponents of distorting his message to Nigerians in the diaspora, insisting that he was advocating better governance and economic opportunities, not an end to family support.
In a post on his X account on Tuesday, the former Anambra State governor said he considered it necessary to clarify his position despite an earlier statement from his media office.
“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 wrote.
Obi praised Nigerians abroad for their sacrifices in supporting relatives at home, noting that their remittances helped millions of people pay for essential needs, including education, healthcare, housing and food.
“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 stressed that his remarks were not intended to discourage financial assistance to family members but to question the economic conditions that made such support necessary for many Nigerians.
“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,” Obi stated.
The former governor said Nigeria needed to create an environment where citizens could earn a decent living and provide for their families without depending on financial assistance from abroad.
“Our goal must be to build a nation that provides jobs, affordable healthcare, quality education, and economic opportunities for its citizens,” he said.
Obi maintained that his message was about building a country that could meet the basic needs of its people rather than leaving families to rely on relatives overseas.
“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 wrote.
He concluded by wishing Nigerians at home and abroad well, saying, “God bless Nigerians at home and abroad. God bless Nigeria.”
The clarification followed his remarks at a town hall meeting with Nigerians in Manchester, United Kingdom, where he urged them to stop automatically acceding to financial requests from people back home.
Obi argued that Nigeria needed leadership capable of creating conditions in which citizens could meet their basic needs.
“You have people at home in Nigeria today who are begging you for money. Tell them no!” he told the gathering.
His remarks sparked reactions, with some interpreting them as a call for Nigerians abroad to withdraw financial support from their relatives.
