FACT CHECK: Did Peter Obi Tell Nigerians in Manchester to Stop Sending Money to Relatives at Home?

MANCHESTER, UK — October 20, 2026: A statement by Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), urging Nigerians living abroad to reject requests for money from relatives back home has triggered public debate, prompting the former Anambra State governor to clarify his position.

The claim that Obi made the remarks during a meeting with Nigerians in Manchester, United Kingdom, is TRUE. However, the claim that he wants Nigerians in the diaspora to abandon their families does not reflect his subsequent clarification.

Premium Times and Punch reported the remarks on October 19 and October 20, respectively.

What Exactly Did Peter Obi Say?

At a town hall meeting with Nigerian diaspora supporters in Manchester on Sunday, October 18, Obi addressed the financial pressure faced by Nigerians abroad who regularly receive requests for assistance from relatives and other people at home.

According to reports of the event, he said:
“You have people at home in Nigeria today who are begging you for money. Tell them no!”

Obi argued that money sent from abroad might temporarily ease hardship but would not resolve the underlying problems he attributed to poor leadership, corruption and the mismanagement of public resources.

He urged Nigerians living abroad to encourage their relatives at home to support leaders they consider capable of improving the country’s economy and creating better opportunities for citizens.

The remarks were subsequently interpreted by critics as a call for Nigerians abroad to stop sending money to their families. Source: Punch.

What Did Obi Say in His Clarification?

Following the backlash, Obi’s media office issued a clarification on October 19, insisting that his remarks were not intended to encourage Nigerians abroad to abandon their parents, siblings or other loved ones.

On Tuesday, October 20, Obi also addressed the controversy in a statement titled “My Message Has Been Twisted,” published on his verified X account, according to

Premium Times and QED.

He acknowledged the importance of money sent home by Nigerians abroad to pay school fees, hospital bills, rent and feeding expenses.
Obi said:

“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.”

He added that the objective should be to build a country that provides employment, affordable healthcare, quality education and economic opportunities, reducing the need for citizens to depend on relatives living overseas.

Sources: QED | Premium Times.

Why Has the Statement Generated Controversy?

The controversy touches on a sensitive reality for many Nigerian households: money sent home by relatives abroad helps pay for essential needs, including education, healthcare, food and accommodation.

For families already struggling with the rising cost of living, an instruction to reject requests for assistance could be interpreted as insensitive to their immediate needs.

On the other hand, Obi’s stated argument is that continued dependence on relatives abroad cannot substitute for a functioning economy, adequate public services and accountable leadership.

The central disagreement is therefore whether his blunt choice of words adequately conveyed his argument about poor governance or gave the impression that families should be denied financial support.

His clarification addresses that distinction, although it does not change the wording of the original remark.

Headlineswave Fact-Check Verdict

Verdict: TRUE, WITH IMPORTANT CONTEXT.

Peter Obi did tell Nigerians at a Manchester town hall meeting to tell relatives asking for money, “Tell them no!” However, he subsequently denied asking Nigerians abroad to abandon their loved ones and explained that his concern was the economic conditions forcing millions of Nigerians to depend on relatives overseas.

It would therefore be inaccurate to report, without qualification, that Obi has called for Nigerians in the diaspora to abandon their families. The original statement and his subsequent explanation should both be presented to readers.

Headlineswave News Desk reviewed reports published by Premium Times, Punch and QED, alongside the clarification attributed to Obi. This fact-check distinguishes his reported words from his explanation of their intended meaning.