Peter Obi, the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate, has told Nigerians living in the United Kingdom to stop sending money to relatives and friends at home who request financial assistance. He made the remarks at a town hall meeting with diaspora supporters in Manchester on Sunday, October 18, 2026, as reported by The Punch.
Obi Links Remittances to Bad Governance
The former Anambra State governor argued that Nigeria's economic hardship stems from poor leadership. According to Obi, continued financial support from abroad only covers up the damage without fixing it. He was blunt in his message to the crowd: "You have people at home in Nigeria today who are begging you for money. Tell them no!"
Obi maintained that Nigerians at home must feel the full weight of bad governance so they are motivated to demand better leadership and make wiser choices at the ballot box. He also urged diaspora Nigerians to push their families back home to vote for capable leaders in the 2027 general election.
Obi Defends His Record in Office
Obi used the occasion to separate himself from other governors, saying his time in office showed a level of financial discipline that others had not matched. "I'm not saying I'm a saint, but I saved money. I've not seen one governor who has saved 10 per cent of what I saved. No governor has done it," he said, adding: "Let's start with this less corrupt one. That's how other countries change."
He said his interactions with Nigerians at home and abroad had strengthened his belief that lasting change requires citizens to take an active part in solving the country's problems, rather than waiting for leaders to act.
2027 Election as a Defining Moment
Obi described the 2027 general election as a defining moment for Nigeria and called on diaspora Nigerians to take the contest seriously, both by voting where eligible and by influencing their families at home to do the same.
Meanwhile, Legit.ng also reported that FCT Minister Nyesom Wike questioned the motive behind Peter Obi's visits to IDP camps across the country. Wike made the remarks at the Idoma Hall of Fame induction ceremony in Abuja on Thursday. The minister also warned Nigerians against politicians who perform public acts of modesty to win votes ahead of 2027.
