Former Anambra State Governor and Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi has dismissed what he described as a distortion of his message to Nigerians in the diaspora, insisting that his concern is to build a country where citizens can meet their basic needs without depending on relatives abroad.
Obi made the clarification in a post on his X account on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, saying he considered it necessary to personally address the controversy despite an earlier clarification by his media office.
“I deeply appreciate Nigerians in the diaspora who work tirelessly and make enormous sacrifices to support their families back home,” Obi said, acknowledging that their remittances help pay school fees, hospital bills, rent and feeding expenses.
He stressed that he had never asked Nigerians living abroad to abandon their loved ones, but argued that the country should not remain in a situation where millions of citizens rely on financial support from relatives overseas to survive.
“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,” he said.
The former presidential candidate said Nigeria’s priority should be to create an environment where citizens have access to jobs, affordable healthcare, quality education and economic opportunities.
“Our goal must be to build a nation that provides jobs, affordable healthcare, quality education, and economic opportunities for its citizens,” Obi stated.
Accusing political opponents of twisting his message, Obi maintained that his position was aimed at addressing the country’s socio-economic challenges rather than discouraging Nigerians in the diaspora from supporting their families.
“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 said.
He concluded his message with prayers for Nigerians at home and abroad, declaring: “God bless Nigerians at home and abroad. God bless Nigeria.”
