Presidency Chides Obi On Diaspora Remittance: ‘Thank You For Affirming’ Manchester’s Comment

The Presidency has dismissed Tuesday’s explanation of Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the National Democratic Congress, NDC, on Nigerians in the diaspora.

According to a post shared by Bayo Onanuga, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, the presidency said the NDC candidate’s efforts to recant his earlier comment, last week in Manchester, United Kingdom, UK suggesting that Nigerians resident in the country should stop sending money to their families and love one in Nigeria, has ended in futility.

Onanuga contended that Obi has even made the situation worse because he only reaffirmed what he earlier said, adding that his earlier remark was not twisted as he claimed, describing the presidential candidate’s remark as a ‘’callous’’ one.

Following the backlash that trailed his Manchester’s remark, Obi had on Tuesday issued a rebuttal accusing his political opponents of twisting what he said to satisfy their cravings ahead the 2027 election.

He claimed that the comment was also been weaponized by his opponents, saying he deeply appreciate Nigerians living abroad who send money home to their loved ones to meet basic life’s needs.

He said his remark was to the effect that the country should be able to take care of her citizens if the economy is run properly, saying his remark was totally misrepresented.

The country should be governed in such away that it can work for all Nigerians, the NDC presidential hopeful said on Tuesday, describing Nigerians who send money back home to their relatives as patriotic and sacrificial.

Obi: “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.

“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.

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

“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.”