2027: Peter Obi Tells Nigerians in UK to Reject Money Requests From Home

Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), has urged Nigerians living in the United Kingdom to reject requests for financial assistance from people at home, arguing that continued support does not address the governance problems contributing to the country’s economic difficulties.

Obi made the appeal on Sunday, October 18, 2026, during a town hall meeting with Nigerian diaspora supporters in Manchester, according to reports by The Punch and Vanguard published on Monday.

Addressing the gathering, the former Anambra State governor encouraged Nigerians abroad to persuade their relatives and friends at home to support leaders capable of managing public resources responsibly and improving the country’s economic conditions.

“You have people at home in Nigeria today who are begging you for money. Tell them no!” Obi said, according to The Punch’s report.

He argued that financial assistance from relatives abroad could provide temporary relief for people struggling with economic hardship but would not resolve the underlying problems he attributed to poor leadership.

Obi’s remarks placed the responsibility for addressing the country’s challenges partly on citizens’ choices at the ballot box, with the 2027 general election approaching.

The NDC candidate also defended his record as governor of Anambra State, claiming that he had saved public funds during his time in office.

“I’m not saying I’m a saint, but I saved money. I’ve not seen one governor who has saved 10 per cent of what I saved. No governor has done it,” he said, as quoted by Vanguard.

Obi challenged other governors to demonstrate comparable savings, presenting his record in office as evidence of his approach to managing public resources.

He also advocated supporting leaders considered less corrupt, saying, “Let’s start with this one that is less corrupt. That’s how other countries change.”

The former governor further urged Nigerians to take the 2027 election seriously, describing it as an important opportunity to influence the country’s direction.

His appeal comes amid continuing public debate about the cost of living, economic hardship and the responsibility of political leaders to improve Nigerians’ living conditions.

However, the reports reviewed did not establish that Obi called on Nigerians abroad to suspend all remittances until President Bola Tinubu leaves office. His reported remarks centred on refusing requests for money and encouraging relatives at home to support better leadership.

The complete recording of the Manchester meeting would be needed to establish whether he explicitly linked the suspension of financial assistance to Tinubu’s removal from office.