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

Obi clarified his position in a statement titled “My Message Has Been Twisted”, published on his X account on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, following public criticism of his remarks at a town hall meeting with Nigerian diaspora supporters in Manchester.

The former Anambra State governor said he appreciated Nigerians abroad who worked hard and made significant sacrifices to support their families in Nigeria.

He noted that remittances from Nigerians in the diaspora helped many households pay school fees, hospital bills, rent and feeding expenses.

“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 the economic situation forcing millions of Nigerians to depend on relatives abroad to meet their basic needs.

He argued that Nigeria should develop an economy capable of providing jobs, affordable healthcare, quality education and opportunities for citizens to support themselves without depending on financial assistance from overseas.

My concern is that Nigeria should not remain a country where millions depend on relatives abroad for basic survival,” he said.

The NDC presidential candidate also accused political opponents of twisting his message, maintaining that his remarks were intended to draw attention to the underlying causes of poverty and economic hardship.

“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 added.

What Obi Said in Manchester

The clarification followed criticism of comments Obi made during a town hall meeting with Nigerians in Manchester on Sunday.

In a video that circulated widely on social media, Obi urged Nigerians in the UK to reconsider requests for financial assistance from relatives and others in Nigeria, arguing that such support could ease immediate hardship without addressing the underlying economic problems.

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

He linked Nigeria’s economic difficulties to poor leadership and urged Nigerians in the diaspora to encourage their relatives and friends at home to support leaders who would prioritise productivity, employment and economic opportunities.

His subsequent statement sought to distinguish his criticism of the country’s dependence on remittances from the financial support Nigerians abroad provide to their loved ones.

Obi maintained that his objective was to promote a Nigeria where citizens could meet their basic needs through employment and economic opportunities rather than relying on relatives living overseas.