Peter Obi Tells UK-Based Nigerians To Stop Sending Money Home To Loved Ones Until Tinubu Is Voted Out | Sahara Reporters

Obi made the call during a town hall meeting with his supporters in the UK on Sunday, where he appealed to Nigerians in the diaspora to support his presidential bid ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) for the 2027 general elections, Peter Obi, has urged Nigerians living in the United Kingdom to stop sending money home, telling them to “tell them no” as he appealed for their support for the 2027 presidential election, presenting himself as a “less corrupt” alternative to other political leaders in the country.

Obi made the call during a town hall meeting with his supporters in the UK on Sunday, where he appealed to Nigerians in the diaspora to support his presidential bid ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The former governor is seeking to unseat President Bola Tinubu in the next presidential election.

The former governor of Anambra State, while speaking about Nigeria’s economic and governance challenges, asked his supporters to tell those seeking financial assistance from Nigeria to stop asking for money and instead work towards supporting a political candidate they believe can address the country’s problems.

“I need you people and that is why I’m having lunch with you today. This lunch is for you to say, this man came and what he said is the reality of our problem. Let’s work with him,” Obi said.

“You have people at home who are begging you for money. Tell them no. Let’s put somebody who has proven… I said I’m not a saint, but at least I have said something.

“I wasn’t the only person who has been a governor and I challenged people and said, if there is one governor who has saved 10 percent of what I saved, and nobody has.

“So, let’s start with this one who is maybe less corrupt. We are not saying it is all, but let’s not pretend it is not happening.”

Obi, who has repeatedly campaigned on the need for prudent management of public resources, said Nigeria’s problems could be addressed if citizens rejected the political culture that allows public funds to be diverted for personal enrichment.

“That is how the countries change. Countries change by people saying, hey, wait a minute, enough of this. And we know what our problem is. It is that money that they are sharing, that money they are using to buy properties, that is why they don’t build school. It is why they don’t build hospital,” he said.

He further recalled claims about how public institutions and services functioned in previous generations, contrasting them with what he described as the alleged diversion of public resources by some present-day political office holders.

Obi said, “He (not specifying who he was referring to) said when his parents were there, they used to go to hospital. When his parents were there, people were not stealing money to come and buy a house in England.

“People were not stealing money to build a house. You don’t hear people finish being military and they own 50 houses. Now you hear such news. Millions of money are missing.”

Obi also urged his supporters to recognise what he described as the need for citizens to take responsibility for changing Nigeria’s political system rather than continuing to tolerate corruption and poor governance.

Obi’s remarks come as political activities and mobilisation intensify ahead of the 2027 presidential election, with political parties and aspirants increasingly engaging Nigerians in the diaspora for support, funding and mobilisation.

However, his remarks have attracted some backlashes on social media, with some X users describing the remarks as a result of “mental health problems.”

An X user, @Mobola_A_Star described Obi as “pushing the agenda of an evil man to become president”.

“So, he wants the donation of diaspora people, but the same diaspora people shouldn’t send money home again till he wins,” the X user said.

“Is this the mindset of a good and responsible leader??? A man selling fear and hopelessness as a campaign strategy. After January, all of Una go comot for our screens by the grace of Almighty God.”

Another X user, @NduEbitea wrote, “Senseless talk. So, because of your desperate bid to become president, people should not supporting their parents and siblings again? Can you imagine this man?”

Also, @B_Mizack wrote, “This guy should be checked into a mental health facility after he loses in 2027. And apparently, all the inanities his dumb followers spew on here emanate from him!”

Another user, @Deshysmalls said, “E sure me say Peter don drink plenty of that Guinness on the table, because only a drunkard will say this.”

Similarly, @koobakedah wrote, “Obi, how much you go dey pay each Nigerian if you become president? This is desperation.

“Let me tell you one thing: even if the entire economy of the United States were transferred to Nigeria today, and the leadership of the US or any well-run country in the world started running Nigeria, there would STILL be people in Nigeria who would need financial assistance from family members in the diaspora.

“So, telling people to stop sending money to their friends and family in Nigeria until they vote Tinubu out and vote you in is the highest form of hypocrisy, desperation and ‘I-don’t-know-nothing’ I have ever heard from a politician.”

Another X user, @abbeykool said, “This lunacy is progressing rapidly. The king of division, always looking for cracks along religious, tribal and now family line. This guy is not well at all.”

Also, @osazenoo wrote, “Obidients learn their toxicity from Obi. Just imagine…,” while @olohunjuedani responded, “It’s obvious.”