The 2027 presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has requested Nigerians residing within the United Kingdom to cease sending money to folks in Nigeria who ask them for monetary assist, however as a substitute ask them to elect capable leaders that can stamp out corruption within the nation.
Mr Obi, a former governor of Anambra State, made the comment on Sunday throughout a city corridor assembly along with his supporters within the UK.
A video clip which confirmed him making the remarks has been circulating on social media.
The NDC candidate instructed the UK-based Nigerians that endemic corruption in Nigeria was pushing their family members within the nation to search monetary help from them.
The former governor recommended that the necessity to send money to folks residing in Nigeria won’t cease if credible leaders who would deal with corruption weren’t elected into public workplaces.
“You have people at home who are begging you for money. Tell them no. Tell them let’s put somebody (in leadership position) who has proven (capacity),” he mentioned.
Continuing, Mr Obi mentioned he was not a “saint” however saved funds within the authorities’s treasury throughout his time as governor of Anambra State from 2006 to 2014.
“I wasn’t the one one who has been a governor and I challenged folks and mentioned, ‘if there is one governor who has saved 10 per cent of what I saved,(let him come out)’ and no one has.
“(So you can tell Nigerians), let’s start (supporting) this one (Mr Obi) who is maybe less corrupt. We’re not saying he’s not corrupt, but less,” he mentioned, referring to himself because the “less corrupt politician.”
‘You’re my technique’
Mr Obi, who ran for the presidency because the Labour Party candidate within the 2023 election gained by President Bola Tinubu, claimed that unnamed politicians had engaged a number of folks to assault and abuse him on social media to discredit him due to his criticism of corrupt politicians and stealing within the nation.
The former governor mentioned that almost all of these contracted to assault and abuse him achieve this within the remark sections of his social media posts.
“People are being paid today. You even heard somebody who said they paid 4000 people. All they pay them is through many posts they made on Peter Obi,” he mentioned, with out mentioning names.
One participant then requested about his technique to cease the state of affairs.
“You’re my strategy,” Mr Obi responded, including, “By the time you, who is exposed, say ‘I don’t want to hear this nonsense. What I want to hear is what ideas you have’.”
The NDC candidate defined that Nigerians ought to assess candidates primarily based on their dedication to combat corruption.
“I am talking to you now, saying ‘lets fight corruption.’ Somebody can come here without saying that,” he mentioned.
The former governor harassed Nigerians ought to start to reject corrupt politicians who pay them to assault and abuse opposition politicians on social media.
“It is because of the money they’re sharing that there are no hospitals in Nigeria. It is because that money they’re stealing to buy properties abroad is why there are no schools in Nigeria,” he said.
He harassed that in contrast to in different international locations, Nigerians usually have fun corrupt politicians reasonably than condemning them.
“I need you people and that is why I’m having lunch with you today. This lunch is for you to say, ‘Hey. Wait a minute. This man came and what he said is the reality of our problem. Let’s deal with it,’” Mr Obi mentioned.
My message has been twisted
Mr Obi’s remark concerning the difficulty of sending monetary help to folks residing in Nigeria has generated a number of reactions.
But in a put up on his X handle on Tuesday, the NDC candidate claimed his message had been twisted by political opponents.
The former governor mentioned he has determined to tackle “the distortion of my message” although his media workplace had issued “a responsible clarification on the situation.”
“I by no means requested them (UK-based Nigerians) to abandon their family members. My concern is that Nigeria shouldn’t stay a rustic the place hundreds of thousands depend upon family members overseas for primary survival.
READ ALSO: Peter Obi fails to provide details after accusing Tinubu’s govt of targeting him
“Our goal must be to build a nation that provides jobs, affordable healthcare, quality education, and economic opportunities for its citizens,” he clarified.
The politician mentioned he “deeply appreciates” Nigerians within the diaspora who work tirelessly and make huge sacrifices to help their households again residence.
“Their remittances pay for school fees, hospital bills, rent, and feeding expenses. Their patriotism and sacrifices deserve our profound respect,” he said.
He added: “Political opponents might twist my message, however the reality stays clear: I’m not asking Nigerians overseas to abandon their households.
“I am advocating for a Nigeria that will no longer abandon its own people.”
Discover extra from Premium Times Nigeria
Subscribe to get the newest posts despatched to your electronic mail.
