By Augustine Akhilomen
The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, Peter Obi, has accused political opponents of deliberately twisting his recent message to Nigerians living abroad, insisting he never asked them to abandon their families back home.
Obi stated that his core concern is ensuring Nigeria stops being a country where millions of citizens must rely on relatives overseas simply to meet their basic survival needs.
In a statement shared via his X account on Tuesday, the former Anambra State governor noted that despite an earlier clarification from his media office, he felt it necessary to address the ongoing distortion of his comments.
“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 expressed deep appreciation for the hard work and sacrifices of the Nigerian diaspora, acknowledging that their financial remittances fund essential expenses such as school fees, hospital bills, rent, and feeding.
“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.
Clarifying his remarks made during a town hall meeting in Manchester, United Kingdom, where he had urged Nigerians abroad to push back against overwhelming financial demands from home, Obi emphasized that his goal was to highlight systemic economic failure rather than discourage family support.
“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.
He maintained that the ultimate objective must be creating a functional nation that provides steady jobs, affordable healthcare, quality education, and reliable economic opportunities.
“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, concluding with a prayer for citizens both at home and in the diaspora.