By George Omagbemi
Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, has criticised Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate Peter Obi over his comments about financial assistance from Nigerians living abroad to relatives back home.
Onanuga, in a post on his X account on Wednesday, said Obi needed “serious counselling”, describing what he considered a pattern of gaffes, inconsistencies and incoherence in the former Anambra State governor’s public statements.
The controversy followed Obi’s remarks at a town hall meeting with Nigerians in Manchester, United Kingdom, where he urged diaspora Nigerians to encourage relatives requesting money to support leaders capable of improving governance.
“You have people at home in Nigeria today who are begging you for money. Tell them no!” Obi reportedly said, arguing that the country needed productive leadership.
The comments attracted criticism from some Nigerians who interpreted them as discouraging financial support for family members.
Obi subsequently clarified that he never asked Nigerians abroad to abandon their loved ones or stop supporting them financially. He acknowledged that diaspora remittances help families pay for school fees, medical bills, rent and food.
He said his concern was that Nigeria should create jobs, improve healthcare and education, and provide economic opportunities so citizens would not have to depend on relatives abroad for basic survival.
Onanuga rejected Obi’s explanation, insisting that the original remarks had not been misrepresented.
The exchange adds to the political disagreements between Tinubu’s administration and opposition figures ahead of the 2027 general election.
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