Obi Clarifies UK Remarks, Says He Never Asked Nigerians Abroad to Abandon Families

Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), has denied asking Nigerians living abroad to abandon relatives who depend on them financially, saying his comments about the country’s economic hardship were misrepresented.

Obi gave the clarification in a statement titled “My Message Has Been Twisted”, which he published on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, following criticism of his remarks at a town hall meeting with Nigerians in Manchester, United Kingdom.

The former Anambra State governor said he appreciated Nigerians in the diaspora who made sacrifices to support their families at home, noting that their remittances helped pay for essential needs, including school fees, medical bills, rent and food.

“I deeply appreciate Nigerians in the diaspora who work tirelessly and make enormous sacrifices to support their families back home,” Obi said.

“Their remittances pay for school fees, hospital bills, rent, and feeding expenses. Their patriotism and sacrifices deserve our profound respect. I never asked them to abandon their loved ones.”

Obi explained that his concern was Nigeria’s dependence on relatives abroad to meet basic needs, arguing that the country should create conditions in which citizens could provide for themselves and their families.

“Our goal must be to build a nation that provides jobs, affordable healthcare, quality education, and economic opportunities for its citizens,” he said.

He also accused political opponents of distorting his message, insisting that his intention was to draw attention to the country’s economic challenges rather than discourage Nigerians abroad from supporting their relatives.

“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 said.

What Obi said in Manchester

The clarification followed remarks Obi made at a town hall meeting with diaspora supporters in Manchester on Sunday, October 18.

In comments reported by The Punch and Vanguard on Monday, Obi urged Nigerians living in the United Kingdom to reject requests for money from people at home.

“You have people at home in Nigeria today who are begging you for money. Tell them no!” he said.

He argued that continued financial assistance could ease the effects of economic hardship without addressing what he described as its underlying causes, including poor leadership.

Obi also urged Nigerians abroad to encourage relatives and friends at home to support leaders who would prioritise productivity and economic opportunities.

His remarks attracted criticism from political opponents, with concerns raised that discouraging financial assistance could affect households that rely on money sent from abroad.

The Labour Party, New Nigeria Peoples Party and Social Democratic Party were among the parties reported by The Punch to have criticised his position. The Obidient Movement, meanwhile, defended him, arguing that his message was a call for better governance rather than an instruction to abandon family members.

In a separate statement issued on Monday, October 19, Obi’s media office also rejected the interpretation that he had asked Nigerians abroad to stop supporting their families. The office said his message was about addressing the conditions that make millions of Nigerians dependent on relatives overseas for basic necessities.

Obi’s latest clarification reiterates that position, shifting the focus to the need for jobs, affordable healthcare, quality education and better economic opportunities in Nigeria.