Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), has denied asking Nigerians living in the United Kingdom to cut off relatives who depend on them for financial support. He says political opponents distorted what he actually said about hardship in Nigeria.

Obi said he appreciates Nigerians in the diaspora who make sacrifices to support their families back home. His real concern, he explained, is the country’s reliance on remittances to meet basic needs.

In a statement titled “My Message Has Been Twisted,” posted on X on Tuesday, the former Anambra State governor said he never told Nigerians abroad to stop supporting their loved ones.

“I deeply appreciate Nigerians in the diaspora who work tirelessly and make enormous sacrifices to support their families back home,” he said. “Their remittances pay for school fees, hospital bills, rent, and feeding expenses. Their patriotism and sacrifices deserve our profound respect. I never asked them to abandon their loved ones.”

Obi said he was drawing attention to the economic conditions that force millions of Nigerians to depend on relatives abroad to survive.

“My concern is that Nigeria should not remain a country where millions depend on relatives abroad for basic survival,” he said. “Our goal must be to build a nation that provides jobs, affordable healthcare, quality education, and economic opportunities for its citizens.”

He accused his political opponents of misrepresenting him, insisting his point was about fixing the causes of hardship, not discouraging financial help to 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.

The clarification follows backlash over comments Obi made at a town hall meeting with diaspora supporters in Manchester on Sunday.

In a video that went viral, Obi urged Nigerians in the UK to stop giving money to relatives and others at home who asked for financial help, arguing that such support eased hardship without tackling its root causes.

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

Obi blamed the country’s economic troubles on poor leadership and urged Nigerians abroad to encourage relatives and friends at home to vote for leaders who prioritise productivity and economic opportunity.