Peter Obi has pushed back against a wave of criticism following a town hall meeting in Manchester, clarifying that his remarks advising Nigerians in the United Kingdom to reconsider sending financial support home were heavily distorted by political opponents.
Speaking through a statement posted on X on Tuesday, the former presidential candidate emphasized that he holds deep admiration for the diaspora community, whose relentless hard work and sacrifices keep countless families afloat in Nigeria. He noted that diaspora remittances routinely cover critical expenses like school fees, medical bills, rent, and daily meals, representing a level of patriotism that deserves the highest respect.
The controversy erupted after footage from his weekend gathering began circulating widely online. During the session, Obi had urged supporters abroad to say no when relatives at home repeatedly asked for cash, arguing that endless financial band-aids fail to resolve the structural failures causing widespread hardship.
According to Obi, his true intention was to highlight the unsustainable reality of a nation where millions must rely entirely on relatives overseas just to survive. He stressed that the ultimate goal must be fixing the system at home so that Nigeria no longer abandons its own citizens, but instead builds an economy capable of delivering jobs, affordable healthcare, quality education, and genuine opportunities.
Blaming political adversaries for weaponizing his words out of context, Obi reiterated that his message was never about telling people to turn their backs on their loved ones. Rather, it was a call to address the root causes of poverty and encourage voters back home to demand better leadership focused on national productivity.
