Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) for the 2027 election, has pushed back against criticism of remarks he made to Nigerians living in the United Kingdom, insisting his comments were distorted by political opponents.
Speaking at a town hall meeting with diaspora supporters in Manchester on Sunday, Obi urged those abroad to stop automatically responding to financial requests from relatives and others back home. “You have people at home in Nigeria today who are begging you for money. Tell them no!” he said, according to multiple reports of the event.
Obi framed the advice as a response to Nigeria’s economic conditions rather than a call to cut family support. He argued that continuous remittances from the diaspora only ease the symptoms of hardship without addressing the root causes—poor leadership, lack of jobs, inadequate healthcare, and limited economic opportunity. He encouraged Nigerians abroad to instead press their relatives to demand better governance and support candidates with a proven record of managing public resources.
On Tuesday, Obi issued a clarification. He accused opponents of twisting his message and stated that he never asked anyone to abandon their families. “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,” he said. “Our goal must be to build a nation that provides jobs, affordable healthcare, quality education, and economic opportunities for its citizens.”
The former Anambra State governor also referenced his time in office, claiming he saved significant public funds and challenging critics to name another governor who matched that record. He positioned the comments within a broader argument for electing leaders who prioritise fiscal responsibility and reduce dependence on external support.
The remarks quickly generated debate. Some critics described them as insensitive to the realities faced by families relying on diaspora remittances for school fees, medical bills, rent and food. Supporters argued the comments highlighted a deeper structural problem and were consistent with Obi’s long-standing emphasis on productive governance over temporary relief.
Nigerians in the diaspora send billions of dollars home each year, forming a critical part of household incomes and the national economy. Obi’s intervention has sharpened discussion about the role of those remittances: whether they primarily sustain families through difficult times or, as he suggests, help perpetuate a system that fails to deliver basic services and opportunities at home.
As the 2027 election cycle gathers pace, the episode underscores how messages aimed at the diaspora can quickly become political flashpoints. Obi maintains his intent was to redirect attention toward systemic change rather than discourage personal support. His opponents continue to present the original comments as evidence of detachment from everyday struggles.
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