The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, Peter Obi, has defended his recent remarks urging Nigerians living in the United Kingdom to reconsider how they respond to financial requests from relatives back home.

Obi accused political opponents of misrepresenting his message, insisting that he never asked Nigerians in the diaspora to abandon their families or stop supporting their loved ones.

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In a post on his X account on Tuesday, the former Anambra State governor said he considered it necessary to address what he described as a distortion of his comments, despite an earlier clarification from his media office.

“Even though my media office has issued a responsible clarification on the situation, I still find it necessary to add my voice to address the distortion of my message by political opponents,” he wrote.

Obi acknowledged the sacrifices made by Nigerians abroad to support their families, noting that remittances help many households cover essential expenses, 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. Their remittances pay for school fees, hospital bills, rent, and feeding expenses. Their patriotism and sacrifices deserve our profound respect,” he said.

He explained that his concern was not about discouraging family support but about the economic conditions that force millions of Nigerians to depend on relatives living overseas to meet their basic needs.

“I never asked them to abandon their loved ones. My concern is that Nigeria should not remain a country where millions depend on relatives abroad for basic survival,” Obi stated.

The former governor said Nigeria needed to create an environment where citizens could earn a living and provide for their families without depending on financial assistance from abroad.

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

Obi maintained that his message was centred on governance and improving living conditions, rather than asking Nigerians overseas to withdraw support from 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 wrote.

He concluded his message by offering a blessing to Nigerians at home and abroad.

“God bless Nigerians at home and abroad. God bless Nigeria,” he added.

Obi’s clarification followed comments he made during a town hall meeting with Nigerians in Manchester, United Kingdom, where he urged members of the diaspora to reconsider automatically responding to financial demands from people back home.

According to an earlier report by PUNCH Online, Obi told attendees that Nigerians living abroad should be able to challenge the circumstances that leave relatives in Nigeria struggling to meet their basic needs.

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

The remarks attracted reactions, with some interpreting them as a call for Nigerians abroad to stop providing financial assistance to family members.

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Obi’s subsequent clarification sought to distinguish his criticism of Nigeria’s economic conditions from the personal decisions Nigerians in the diaspora make when supporting their loved ones.