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The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has urged Nigerians living in the United Kingdom to stop giving money to relatives and friends who seek financial assistance, arguing that such support only eases hardship without addressing its root causes.
Obi made the appeal on Sunday during a town hall meeting with diaspora supporters in Manchester, where he blamed Nigeria’s economic difficulties on poor leadership and urged Nigerians abroad to use their influence to promote accountable governance.
“You have people at home in Nigeria today who are begging you for money. Tell them no!” he said.
The former Anambra State governor argued that while financial assistance could help people cope with rising hardship, it would not resolve the economic problems forcing many Nigerians to depend on relatives abroad.
He urged Nigerians in the diaspora to encourage their families and friends at home to vote for leaders capable of improving the country’s economic conditions.
Obi also defended his record in public office, claiming that he had saved substantial public funds while serving as governor of Anambra State.
He admitted that he was not perfect but maintained that his record distinguished him from other state governors.
“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.
He challenged other former and serving governors to demonstrate comparable savings during their time in office.
“I was not the only governor, and I challenge people if one governor can save 10 per cent of the money I saved, but there is nobody that did that,” Obi added.
The NDC presidential candidate urged Nigerians to begin the process of political change by supporting leaders they considered less corrupt, saying the country could learn from nations that had improved their governance.
“Let’s start with this one that is less corrupt. That’s how other countries change,” he said.
Obi also stressed that building a better Nigeria would require collective responsibility, with citizens taking an active role in demanding improved leadership and addressing the country’s challenges.
He urged Nigerians to take the 2027 general election seriously, describing it as a critical opportunity to determine the country’s future.
