The presidential candidate of the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has accused his political opponents of distorting his comments about Nigerians living abroad, insisting that he never asked them to abandon their families back home.
Obi made the clarification in a statement, saying that despite an earlier clarification issued by his media office, he considered it necessary to personally address what he described as the misrepresentation of his message by political opponents.
The former Anambra State governor expressed appreciation to Nigerians in the diaspora for their sacrifices and continued financial support for their families in Nigeria.
According to him, remittances from Nigerians abroad help millions of households meet essential needs, including school fees, hospital bills, rent and feeding expenses.
He stressed that their contributions and patriotism deserve recognition and respect, noting that his comments were never intended to discourage Nigerians abroad from supporting their loved ones.
Obi explained that his concern was the growing dependence of many Nigerian families on relatives living overseas for basic survival, arguing that the country should strive to create an economy where citizens can meet their needs without relying heavily on financial assistance from abroad.
He maintained that Nigeria’s priority should be to provide employment opportunities, affordable healthcare, quality education and an enabling environment for citizens to prosper.
The NDC presidential candidate accused political opponents of twisting his message for political purposes but insisted that his position remained clear: Nigerians living abroad should not abandon their families, and the country must stop abandoning its own citizens.
“ I am not asking Nigerians abroad to abandon their families. I am advocating for a Nigeria that will no longer abandon its own people,” Obi said.
He concluded his statement by extending his goodwill to Nigerians at home and abroad, calling for a nation that provides greater opportunities, security and a better standard of living for all its citizens.
