₦airaland Forum

The Presidency has rejected Peter Obi’s clarification of his controversial advice to Nigerians in the United Kingdom to refuse financial requests from people back home, insisting that his original remarks were neither misunderstood nor distorted.

Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, dismissed Obi’s explanation in a post on X, describing his statement at a Manchester town hall meeting as callous.

“Mr Peter Obi, you failed to clarify your Manchester callous statement. Nobody twisted your statement. Thank you for affirming it again,” Onanuga declared.

The presidential spokesman’s response followed Obi’s attempt to clarify remarks he made on Sunday, October 18, while addressing supporters in Manchester, United Kingdom.

The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) had urged Nigerians abroad to reject financial appeals from people at home and instead encourage them to support leaders with proven records of financial discipline.

“You have people at home in Nigeria today who are begging you for money. Tell them no!” Obi had told the gathering.

He argued that Nigeria’s persistent economic difficulties were largely caused by poor leadership and corruption, which had left many citizens dependent on financial assistance from relatives overseas.

The remarks sparked controversy, prompting Obi’s media office to issue a clarification denying that he had asked Nigerians abroad to abandon their families.

Obi subsequently issued a personal statement titled

“My Message Has Been Twisted”, accusing political opponents of deliberately misrepresenting his position.

“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,” he stated.

The former Anambra State governor acknowledged the sacrifices made by Nigerians in the diaspora, noting that their remittances helped families pay school fees, hospital bills, rent and other essential expenses.

“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,” Obi explained.

He maintained that his message was about building a country capable of providing jobs, affordable healthcare, quality education and economic opportunities.

“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 added.


Onanuga, however, rejected the explanation, maintaining that Obi had failed to clarify his original remarks. The exchange adds to the controversy surrounding Obi’s comments as political activities intensify ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

“Trying to claim “MY MESSAGE HAS BEEN TWISTED” won’t change what we all heard you say on video. “No one twisted your message, certainly not.

Your message, asking Nigerians abroad to stop sending money to their loved ones at home, is clear as day and a representation of the vileness in your heart and the hatred you harbour for Nigerians, whose only offence was rejecting you at the polls.

“You have chosen to go on another divisive route, which you are known for, for your campaign. You have set Christians against Muslims, Southerners against Northerners, children against parents, Nigerians against President Tinubu, and have now graduated to setting Nigerians abroad against Nigerians at home. Even by your standards, this is ridiculously low!

“You seek to govern the people you hate. You do not care about evil deeds as long as they advance your political ambitions.

“Unfortunately for you, Nigerians are wise and sophisticated people; they can read between the lines. Your divisive rhetoric did not work in 2023, and it certainly will not work in 2027.

“By the way, this has now been added to your long, inexhaustible list of flip- flopping, contradictory statements, lies, and denials of past statements and promises. “Nigerians are watching and taking stock!,”

Ofunaofu:
The Tinubu regime has totally lost it all.

Imagine!

A wobbling presidential re-election campaign with no direction, armed with its MADness Agenda after the failed Renewed Hope Agenda, is busy responding to what Peter Obi said or didn’t say

favor914:
It is the effect of bitterness, Gringory Obi is a very bitter man, same as his boss Abubakar Atiku.

Ofunaofu:
You are in support of this MADness agenda

favor914:
Sorry it is too late, The President will occupy Aso Rock till 2031.

Ofunaofu:
I thought he will stay beyond 2031, becoming Nigeria' Paul Biya

Amotolongbo:
Like I do say, no need campaigning against Peter Obi.
Just give Peter Obi the microphone, he will campaign against himself with his mouth

Ofunaofu:
The Tinubu regime has totally lost it all.

Imagine!

A wobbling presidential re-election campaign with no direction, armed with its MADness Agenda after the failed Renewed Hope Agenda, is busy responding to what Peter Obi said or didn’t say

Amotolongbo:
Like I do say, no need campaigning against Peter Obi.
Just give Peter Obi the microphone, he will campaign against himself with his mouth

Ofunaofu:
The Tinubu regime has totally lost it all.

Imagine!

A wobbling presidential re-election campaign with no direction, armed with its MADness Agenda after the failed Renewed Hope Agenda, is busy responding to what Peter Obi said or didn’t say

Ofunaofu:
The Tinubu regime has totally lost it all.

Imagine!

A wobbling presidential re-election campaign with no direction, armed with its MADness Agenda after the failed Renewed Hope Agenda, is busy responding to what Peter Obi said or didn’t say

Streetinvestor2:
I expect the baron to create a ministry soon concerning obi interviews.
obi fit kpai BAT with BP before 2027 election. His grip on baron neck is squeezing life gradually out of him daily.
Obi na man u be

Petdagr8t:
Nothing is wrong with Obi's statement, only that Bayo Onanuga and APC are good in twisting anything to suit their evil agenda for Nigeria

Rayjay45:
I too like that statement sha, even if Obi no talk am.

Vote anyhow and see your remittances cut off.

Can't be living off of your relatives and friends slaving away in the developed world when you want to continue to put our dear Nigeria in the hands of thieves and bigots.

Vote along tribal affiliations, religion lines or ontop 30k and you go see anyhow next year. There's no retribution more fitting!

Worthydefender:
For him to say the best advice he received in the whole Anambala was from a mad man....Only a mad man can understand a mad man.

duro4chang:
Obi is fond of making careless statements. Something must be wrong with him. Mentally, he needs help. He has nothing good to offer anyone