Bayo Onanuga, the Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, has rejected the explanation given by the Nigeria Democratic Congress presidential candidate, Peter Obi, regarding his comments about Nigerians living abroad, maintaining that his original message was not misrepresented.
In a post on his X handle on Wednesday, Onanuga said the former Anambra State Governor had not succeeded in clarifying his comments made in Manchester and added that his latest statement only confirmed the earlier remarks.
“Mr. Peter Obi, you failed to clarify your Manchester callous statement. Nobody twisted your statement. Thank you for affirming it again,” Onanuga wrote.
The former Anambra State governor had a post on his X handle on Tuesday accusing political opponents of distorting his comments about Nigerians in the diaspora.
Obi stated that he appreciated Nigerians living abroad for their sacrifices and financial support to relatives at home, noting that their remittances helped families pay school fees, hospital bills, rent, and feeding expenses.
He insisted that he was not telling Nigerians abroad to leave their loved ones behind, but he voiced concern that millions of citizens rely on relatives overseas to meet their basic needs.
Obi said Nigeria ought to concentrate on building opportunities that would let citizens support themselves without depending on money from family members abroad.
He further stated that his remarks were meant to push the government to build an environment in which Nigerians could meet their needs at home.
“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 said.
