PRESIDENCY FAULTS PETER OBI’S DIASPORA REMITTANCE REMARKS, DISMISSES CLAIMS OF MEDIA DISTORTION

Bayo Onanuga contends former Anambra governor affirmed original statements made in Manchester, maintaining that opposition figures failed to address public concerns

The Special Adviser to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, has challenged former Anambra State Governor and opposition leader Peter Obi over his claim that political opponents distorted his recent comments about Nigerians living in the diaspora.

Responding to Obi’s clarification about remarks made during a town hall meeting in Manchester, United Kingdom, Onanuga said no political adversary misrepresented the statement, arguing that Obi’s follow-up explanation merely reaffirmed his original position.

Obi had previously defended his address, explaining that while he deeply appreciates the vital role of diaspora remittances in supporting families with healthcare, housing, and educational expenses, Nigeria must transition away from severe economic reliance on overseas relatives by creating viable domestic opportunities.

Rejecting Obi’s clarification, Onanuga stated via his official X handle that the explanation failed to address the insensitivity of the initial remarks, characterizing the former candidate's stance as an admission rather than a correction of his public discourse.

The exchange highlights an intensifying debate between opposition figures and presidential spokespersons regarding diaspora engagement, economic governance, and the reliance on foreign remittances ahead of upcoming electoral engagements.