Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), has pushed back against what he described as the deliberate distortion of his message to Nigerians in the diaspora, insisting that his concern is not that citizens abroad should stop supporting their families but that Nigeria must end a system that leaves millions dependent on relatives overseas for survival.
Obi, in a strongly worded clarification, accused political opponents of twisting his remarks, saying his message had been misrepresented despite an earlier clarification issued by his media office.
“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 declared.
The former Anambra State governor said Nigerians living abroad deserved appreciation, not criticism, for the enormous sacrifices they make to sustain their families and loved ones back home.
He acknowledged that remittances from Nigerians in the diaspora help millions of households pay school fees, settle hospital bills, pay rent and meet basic feeding expenses, describing their contributions as a demonstration of patriotism and commitment to their country.
However, Obi argued that a nation with enormous human and material resources should not depend on money sent home by citizens living thousands of miles away to keep families afloat.
His central argument, he maintained, was that Nigeria must become a country where citizens can earn decent livelihoods, access affordable healthcare, obtain quality education and pursue economic opportunities without depending on relatives abroad to meet their most basic needs.
The NDC presidential candidate’s intervention comes against the backdrop of Nigeria’s longstanding dependence on diaspora remittances, which have become an important source of foreign exchange and household income amid persistent economic pressures, unemployment and the rising cost of living.
For many Nigerian families, money sent home by relatives in the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, Europe and other destinations is a critical lifeline, helping to finance education, healthcare, housing and small businesses.
Yet, the reliance on such transfers also exposes the vulnerability of households whose survival depends on family members earning incomes in foreign economies, rather than on reliable employment and social support at home.
Obi’s position therefore draws a distinction between celebrating Nigerians abroad for their sacrifices and accepting a situation in which families must rely on those sacrifices because economic opportunities at home are inadequate.
He maintained that political attacks and misrepresentations would not change the substance of his message, insisting that his advocacy was centred on building a country capable of providing for its citizens.
“Political opponents may twist my message, but the truth remains clear,” he said, reiterating that he had never called on Nigerians abroad to abandon their loved ones.
The former governor ended his message with a goodwill appeal to Nigerians both at home and abroad, reaffirming his call for a country that offers its citizens greater dignity, security and economic opportunity.
