The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has urged Nigerians living in the United Kingdom to reconsider how they respond to requests for financial assistance from relatives in Nigeria, arguing that the country needs a change in political leadership.
Obi made the appeal during a town hall meeting with supporters in the UK on Sunday, where he called for greater accountability in governance and encouraged Nigerians in the diaspora to support leaders with records of prudent financial management.
“You have people at home in Nigeria today who are begging you for money. Tell them no!” Obi declared.
His remarks were delivered in the context of a broader argument about Nigeria’s economic difficulties and the need for citizens to demand better leadership rather than continue to accommodate practices that, in his view, allow poor governance to persist.
Obi urged Nigerians abroad to engage their relatives at home in conversations about political accountability, stressing the importance of supporting candidates who can demonstrate effective management of public resources.
The comments have generated controversy because financial assistance from Nigerians overseas plays a significant role in supporting households facing rising living costs. Families often depend on remittances to pay for education, healthcare, accommodation and other basic necessities.
The former Anambra governor’s appeal has also prompted debate about whether personal financial support to relatives should be separated from political discussions about accountability and public-sector performance.
Obi’s subsequent clarification indicated that he objected to what he considered a misrepresentation of his remarks, maintaining that remittances should not be taken for granted.
As political activities intensify ahead of the 2027 elections, the episode highlights the challenges candidates face when communicating economic and governance messages to audiences with different personal circumstances.