ABUJA, Nigeria — Former Anambra State Governor and 2027 presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has defended his controversial remarks about financial support from Nigerians living abroad, accusing political opponents of misrepresenting his message.

Obi issued the clarification on Tuesday, October 20, following widespread criticism of comments he made during a town hall meeting with Nigerian diaspora supporters in Manchester, United Kingdom, on Sunday.

In a statement titled “My Message Has Been Twisted", published on his verified X account, the former governor insisted that he never asked Nigerians overseas to abandon relatives who depend on them for financial assistance.

Instead, he explained that his comments were directed at the economic conditions that have left many Nigerian households reliant on remittances to meet essential expenses.

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

He acknowledged that money sent by Nigerians abroad plays a significant role in supporting households, particularly in meeting the costs of education, healthcare, accommodation and food.

According to him, the sacrifices made by Nigerians living overseas deserve recognition rather than condemnation.

The clarification followed the circulation of a video from his Manchester engagement in which he urged Nigerians in the United Kingdom to reject requests for financial assistance from people back home.

“You have people at home in Nigeria today who are begging you for money. Tell them no!” Obi told the gathering.

The remarks generated considerable debate, with critics questioning the implications of withholding financial support from vulnerable families already struggling with Nigeria's economic difficulties.

Some political figures argued that diaspora remittances remained an essential source of support for millions of Nigerians and that discouraging such assistance could worsen hardship without necessarily addressing underlying economic problems.

Among those who criticised the remarks were representatives of the Labour Party, the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) and the Social Democratic Party (SDP).

The controversy also attracted a response from the Presidency, with Daniel Bwala, Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Policy Communication, criticising Obi's position.

However, Obi maintained that his original remarks had been taken out of context, arguing that his central concern was the failure of Nigeria's economic system to provide sufficient opportunities for citizens to meet their basic needs independently.

He said the country's long-term development should be measured by its ability to create employment, provide affordable healthcare, strengthen education and establish economic conditions that reduce dependence on financial assistance from relatives abroad.

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

The former governor also accused his political opponents of exploiting the controversy to misrepresent his position ahead of the 2027 general elections.

He maintained that financial support from Nigerians overseas should not become a permanent substitute for effective governance and sustainable economic opportunities at home.

Obi's clarification comes as political activities intensify ahead of next year's presidential election, with economic hardship, employment, public services and government accountability expected to feature prominently in national debates.

The controversy has also brought renewed attention to the importance of diaspora remittances in Nigeria's economy, particularly for households that depend on relatives abroad to cover essential living expenses.

While supporters of Obi argue that his message was intended to challenge the conditions creating such dependence, critics maintain that his original comments could be interpreted as encouraging Nigerians overseas to withhold urgently needed assistance.

The competing interpretations have placed the relationship between political accountability and family financial responsibilities at the centre of a wider public discussion.

In his latest statement, Obi reiterated that his position was not directed against Nigerians providing for their families but against the economic circumstances that make such assistance necessary for survival.

He insisted that his objective was to promote a country where citizens could earn a decent living, access essential services and support their families without relying heavily on income from relatives overseas.

As the debate continues, the former Anambra governor's explanation seeks to draw a distinction between challenging Nigeria's economic dependence on remittances and discouraging individuals from fulfilling their financial responsibilities to loved ones.

The development adds another dimension to the emerging political conversations ahead of the 2027 presidential election, particularly regarding economic governance, poverty reduction and the role of Nigerians in the diaspora.

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