POLITICS
My Message Was Twisted; I Never Asked Nigerians Abroad To Abandon Families – Obi Fires Back
My Message Was Twisted; I Never Asked Nigerians Abroad To Abandon Families – Obi Fires Back
Peter Obi says political opponents deliberately twisted his message about Nigerians in the diaspora and remittances sent home.
The NDC presidential candidate says he never asked Nigerians abroad to abandon their families or stop supporting relatives in Nigeria.
Obi commends Nigerians in the diaspora for funding school fees, medical bills, rent, feeding and other family needs.
He says his position is that Nigeria must create jobs, affordable healthcare, quality education and economic opportunities so citizens are not forced to depend on relatives abroad.
October 20, () – Former Anambra State governor and presidential candidate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has fired back at his political opponents over what he described as the deliberate distortion of his message concerning Nigerians living abroad and their financial support for families at home.
Obi said he never asked Nigerians in the diaspora to abandon their loved ones, insisting that his concern was the growing dependence of millions of Nigerians on relatives abroad for basic survival.
The former governor made the clarification in a statement following the controversy generated by his earlier comments, saying he considered it necessary to personally address what he described as the misrepresentation of his position despite an earlier clarification issued by his media office.
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“Even though my media office has issued a responsible clarification on the situation, I still find it necessary to add my voice to address the distortion of my message by political opponents”, Obi said.
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He expressed profound appreciation to Nigerians in the diaspora for the sacrifices they make to support their families and communities in the country.
According to him, remittances from Nigerians abroad play a critical role in helping families meet basic needs, particularly at a time of severe economic hardship.
“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”, he said.
Obi stressed that his comments were not intended to discourage Nigerians abroad from supporting their families.
“I never asked them to abandon their loved ones”, he added.
Rather, he said his concern was that Nigeria should not continue to operate as a country where citizens depend on relatives living abroad to meet basic necessities.
“My concern is that Nigeria should not remain a country where millions depend on relatives abroad for basic survival”, Obi said.
He argued that the responsibility should ultimately lie with the Nigerian state to create an environment where citizens can earn decent incomes and have access to essential services without relying on family members outside the country.
The NDC presidential candidate said the country’s development priorities should include job creation, affordable healthcare, quality education and broader economic opportunities for citizens.
“Our goal must be to build a nation that provides jobs, affordable healthcare, quality education, and economic opportunities for its citizens”, he noted.
Obi accused his political opponents of exploiting his remarks for political purposes and presenting them in a manner different from what he intended.
“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 stated.
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