Peter Obi Defends UK Remarks, Says He Never Asked Nigerians in Diaspora to Abandon Families

Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate Peter Obi has defended his recent remarks to Nigerians living in the United Kingdom, saying his message has been distorted by political opponents.

Obi, in a statement titled “My Message Has Been Twisted,” said he was not asking Nigerians in the diaspora to abandon family members who depend on them financially, but was advocating for a country where citizens would no longer struggle to meet their basic needs.

The former Anambra State governor said he deeply appreciated Nigerians abroad who make sacrifices to support their relatives at home, noting that their remittances help pay for school fees, hospital bills, rent and feeding expenses.

He added that the contributions of Nigerians in the diaspora deserved respect, stressing that his concern was the country’s continued dependence on financial support from relatives living abroad.

According to Obi, Nigeria should strive to become a country that provides jobs, affordable healthcare, quality education and economic opportunities, rather than one where millions of citizens depend on family members abroad for survival.

He accused political opponents of distorting his message, insisting that his position was not an attempt to encourage Nigerians overseas to withdraw support from their loved ones.

“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.

Obi’s clarification followed the controversy surrounding his remarks during his recent visit to the United Kingdom, where he spoke about Nigerians abroad supporting relatives at home amid the country’s economic difficulties.

His statement sought to draw a distinction between discouraging family support and calling for a country where citizens can earn enough to provide for themselves and their families without depending on relatives overseas.

He concluded by wishing Nigerians at home and abroad well, adding, “God bless Nigerians at home and abroad. God bless Nigeria.”

APC Campaign Council Accuses Peter Obi of Making Unsupported Claims About 2023 Election

The All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council has criticised Nigeria Democratic Congress presidential candidate Peter Obi over his claim that he won the 2023 presidential election, accusing him of making assertions without supporting evidence.

In a press statement issued on October 9, 2026, and signed by its spokesperson, Dele Alake, the council described Obi’s comments during a recent BBC interview as troubling and questioned his continued insistence that he won the election.

During the interview, Obi reportedly said: “I don’t like going back to the past. I won the last election. There’s no evidence, but I won the election. Everything is not based on evidence.”

Reacting to the statement, the APC campaign council argued that a presidential aspirant should support claims about an election with verifiable facts rather than unsubstantiated assertions.

The council also referred to the official outcome of the 2023 presidential election, maintaining that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was declared the winner by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), with his victory subsequently upheld by the election tribunal and the Supreme Court.

The statement further defended Tinubu’s administration, crediting it with implementing economic reforms, expanding infrastructure, supporting businesses and young people, and making investments in education and healthcare.

The APC campaign council also renewed its call for Obi to honour an alleged earlier pledge to withdraw from the 2027 presidential race if it were established that his administration in Anambra State had left behind liabilities.

The council said it based its position on what it described as established financial records from Anambra State.

The statement comes amid political exchanges between supporters of the ruling APC and opposition figures ahead of the 2027 general election.

‘Mr Macaroni Is Generous, But His Integrity Is Shaky’ — Daniel Regha

Social media commentator Daniel Regha has questioned the integrity of comedian and actor Mr Macaroni, days after many Nigerians publicly acknowledged the entertainer’s generosity following his emotional account of the challenges he has faced in recent years.

Mr Macaroni recently opened up about his struggles, revealing that he had reached a point where he sought help from people around him and was grateful to those who supported him through difficult periods.

He also thanked several people publicly, including Don Jazzy, Victor Osimhen, Pastor Bolaji and his close friends, while expressing appreciation to an unnamed individual whom he said helped settle his outstanding debts.

The disclosure prompted messages from people who recalled occasions when Mr Macaroni had helped them, with the comedian saying some of the acts of kindness were things he no longer remembered.

Against that backdrop, Regha acknowledged Mr Macaroni’s generosity but said he believed the entertainer’s conduct in other areas raised questions about his integrity.

“Mr Macaroni has questionable character. Is he generous, yes, but his integrity is shaky,” Regha said.

Regha recalled meeting Mr Macaroni at the first award event he attended, describing the comedian as polite and welcoming.

However, he accused Mr Macaroni of hypocrisy and alleged that he had previously failed to correct statements he considered untrue.

Regha cited an incident involving Tacha, alleging that the reality TV personality once described an encounter with Mr Macaroni as their first meeting despite, according to him, having seen the two exchange pleasantries weeks earlier.

He said Mr Macaroni’s decision not to correct the account amounted to encouraging what he considered a falsehood.

Regha also raised political questions, alleging that Mr Macaroni had been outspoken in criticising the APC and some opposition parties but remained quiet when Peter Obi faced criticism from his supporters.

He further claimed that the comedian had rarely criticised what he described as questionable actions by Obi.

Regha argued that public acts of generosity should be considered alongside questions of personal integrity.

“The act of generosity should be just as important as his integrity. No offense,” he said.

The comments have added another perspective to the public conversation surrounding Mr Macaroni, following the entertainer’s recent decision to speak openly about his struggles and acknowledge the people who supported him.

FACT-CHECK: Did P.M. News Publish a 2006 Report Saying Peter Obi Was ‘Cured of Madness’?

A newspaper front page circulating on social media claims that P.M. News published a story in July 2006 reporting that then-Anambra State Governor Peter Obi had testified in church about being “cured of madness.”

The front page carries the headline, “How I was cured of Madness,” with a subheadline identifying Peter Obi as Anambra State governor and stating that he gave testimony in church.

The newspaper shown in the image is dated Monday, July 17, 2006, and is labelled Volume 12, No. 126.

Shemariah Media investigated the claim to determine whether the newspaper report can be independently verified.

Searches for the exact headline and combinations of the reported date, publication, volume number and Peter Obi did not produce an accessible archive of the July 17, 2006 edition of P.M. News confirming the specific front page.

There is, however, evidence that the phrase “How I Was Cured Of Madness” has circulated online in connection with another Nigerian politician, former Aviation Minister Femi Fani-Kayode.

A Nairaland post titled “Throwback: How I Was Cured Of Madness – Femi Fani-Kayode” contains a claim that Fani-Kayode gave a testimony in church about being cured of madness. The post does not establish that the Peter Obi newspaper image is genuine, but the similarity raises questions about the provenance of the image.

The fact that Peter Obi was governor of Anambra State at the time shown on the newspaper is not, by itself, evidence that the report is genuine. Obi became governor in March 2006, meaning that the July 2006 date shown on the image is chronologically possible.

However, Shemariah Media has not located a contemporaneous digital archive, library scan, or independent newspaper record that confirms that P.M. News published the specific headline about Peter Obi on July 17, 2006.

It is therefore not possible, based on the evidence currently available, to establish that the viral newspaper image is an authentic P.M. News front page.

VERDICT: UNVERIFIED.

The viral image should not be presented as established evidence that Peter Obi publicly testified that he was “cured of madness.” More archival evidence would be required to authenticate the newspaper page and the report attributed to it.

Peter Obi Defends Wife’s Luxury Hermès Bag, Says Her Spending Is Her Business

Nigeria Democratic Congress presidential candidate Peter Obi has responded to criticism over his wife Margaret Obi’s appearance with a luxury Hermès handbag, saying her personal spending should not be used to question his record on public accountability.

The controversy followed a photograph of Margaret Obi carrying what was identified as a Hermès Kelly 35 Malachite handbag.

According to the information provided about the bag, it is listed on the Hermès website at £131,938.81, which would amount to roughly ₦237 million based on the exchange rate referenced in the report.

The sighting sparked reactions from some Nigerians, including media aide to former Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike, Lere Olayinka, as well as media personality Daddy Freeze and other social media users who questioned the apparent cost of the handbag in relation to Obi’s public image and statements about living modestly.

Responding to the criticism during an interview with Adeola Fayehun, Obi said his wife’s personal finances and lifestyle should be separated from his management of public resources.

“When I was governor, whatever she had didn’t affect me because, one, I don’t have office of First Lady,” Obi said.

He explained that his wife has her own money and argued that she should be able to decide how to spend it, provided the money does not come from public funds.

“And she has her own money. So if she has her own money and wants to buy an expensive watch, that’s her own. I’m not going to do that. It’s not my business,” he said.

Obi further maintained that his concern is ensuring that public funds are not used to finance his wife’s lifestyle.

“I’m managing public money as long as the life she lives does not in any way the bills are not paid for public money,” he said.

He also said that his personal preferences should not determine how other people choose to live, noting that while he does not personally celebrate birthdays, he would still attend another person’s celebration if invited.

“I don’t celebrate birthdays, for example. I’m not into celebration. But I can’t stop other people from celebrating,” Obi said.

The former Anambra State governor maintained that his wife’s lifestyle would not conflict with his interests as long as it is funded with her own money and does not involve public resources.

The comments come amid continued public scrutiny of Obi’s personal lifestyle and his political messaging around reducing the cost of governance and ensuring accountability in the management of public funds.

Peter Obi Challenges Tinubu: ‘A President Must Confront His Past’

Former Anambra State Governor and 2027 presidential candidate Peter Obi has challenged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu over his reported move to prevent the release of records concerning his past, insisting that leaders must have the courage to confront questions about their history.

Obi made the remarks in a statement on Sunday, August 30, expressing concern over what he described as the growing need for transparency and accountability from those occupying Nigeria’s highest political office.

According to Obi, it is embarrassing that a sitting Nigerian President would seek to have a foreign court withhold records relating to matters that are of legitimate public interest.

He argued that leadership requires the courage and humility to confront one’s past, acknowledge mistakes where necessary and provide clear explanations when legitimate questions arise.

“A President must confront his past,” Obi said, stressing that authority is strengthened rather than weakened when leaders accept responsibility instead of attempting to shield controversial aspects of their history from public scrutiny.

The former Anambra governor said the issue becomes even more important when it concerns educational credentials, particularly records relating to foundational education.

He maintained that questions surrounding a leader’s primary and secondary education should not remain unresolved or be addressed mainly through legal proceedings, arguing that Nigerians deserve explanations that are clear, credible and verifiable.

Obi also expressed concern about the example political leaders set for young Nigerians, particularly the millions currently in school.

He said the Presidency should represent integrity, accountability, transparency and ethical leadership, adding that the conduct of those occupying the office can influence the values of future generations.

According to him, having an imperfect past is part of being human, but what matters is the willingness to face it honestly, make amends where necessary and put the interests of the country above personal ambition.

“When will our political class fully appreciate that individual ambitions are temporary, while the nation endures?” Obi asked.

He stressed that the Presidency is an office held for a limited period, while the moral standards established by those who occupy it can have consequences for generations.

Obi concluded by emphasising that Nigeria must always come before the interests of any individual.

“Nigeria is greater than any one person, and the integrity of the Republic must always come before the interests of the individual,” he stated.

“Peter Obi Will Defeat Even Jesus in a Free and Fair Election” - Political Associate MamaPee

A political associate of 2027 presidential hopeful Peter Obi, popularly identified as MamaPee, has claimed that the former Anambra State governor would defeat any political opponent in Nigeria if the 2027 election is free and fair.

MamaPee made the claim while discussing the political climate surrounding Obi and the challenges facing his campaign ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

According to her, Obi currently has the capacity to defeat any politician in the country if voters are allowed to freely choose their preferred candidate without interference.

“In a free and fair election, Peter Obi will win any politician right now in Nigeria that contests against him in a free and fair election,” she said.

She took the claim further by using a hypothetical comparison involving Jesus Christ, saying even the Christian figure would lose to Obi if he entered the Nigerian political contest.

“If Jesus comes to contest in this Nigeria politics, Obi will win. What are you people saying?” MamaPee stated.

Her comments have added to the growing political debate around Obi’s chances in the 2027 presidential election, particularly among his supporters who believe the former Anambra governor enjoys significant grassroots support.

MamaPee also pushed back against criticism that Obi has been playing a defensive role in the opposition space rather than taking a more aggressive political approach.

She questioned what Obi could realistically do when, in her view, the weight of the government is being directed against him.

“Obi is playing defense. What should he play? Someone that the whole weight of government is against,” she said.

Obi is expected to contest the 2027 presidential election under the National Democratic Congress (NDC), with the election expected to be one of the most closely watched political contests in Nigeria.

MamaPee’s remarks reflect the confidence among Obi’s supporters as political activities gather momentum ahead of the 2027 polls.

Credit: Instablog | Twitter 

Peter Obi: Despite 13-Month Doctors’ Strike, No Mass Deaths Were Recorded in Anambra

 

Former Anambra State Governor and NDC presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has defended his administration’s handling of a 13-month doctors’ strike during his tenure, saying the prolonged industrial action did not result in mass deaths in the state.

Obi made the claim while speaking at the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) conference in Rivers State, where he discussed the condition of Anambra’s healthcare system when he assumed office and the measures his administration took to improve it.

According to Obi, the state faced significant gaps in healthcare infrastructure at the time, including a lack of accredited schools of nursing and teaching hospitals.

“Doctors were on strike for 13 months and the only thing the doctors have never said is why they went on strike,” Obi said.

He recalled that when he became governor, Anambra had no accredited school of nursing, while the state university did not have a teaching hospital and some hospitals were not accredited.

“There was no single school of nursing accredited and university did not have a teaching hospital and hospitals were not accredited,” he said.

Obi said his administration initially invested in general hospitals but later changed its approach after encountering challenges with the system.

He explained that the government began working with agencies and church-owned institutions, providing funding to support healthcare delivery.

“So I decided after several months to deal with our doctors, so I put money in general hospital, then they transferred it somewhere else. Then I decided I’m going to work with the agencies, schools owned by the churches and I started funding them, then they started saying I’m supporting private sectors,” he said.

Defending his administration’s position during the dispute, Obi questioned the effect of the doctors’ prolonged absence on the state’s healthcare system.

“We had a disagreement. If the doctors were very effective, in 13 months there was no mass death, that means something is missing because after 13 months we are still alive and they were on strike,” he said.

The former governor maintained that the decisions taken by his administration eventually produced lasting improvements in Anambra’s healthcare sector.

He pointed to the growth in nursing education and the establishment of teaching hospitals as some of the outcomes of his approach.

“Go to Anambra State today, we have the highest numbers of schools of nursing, we have three teaching hospitals because of that decision I took,” Obi said.

Obi’s comments come as the 2027 presidential campaign gathers momentum, with candidates increasingly highlighting their records in public office as they seek to convince Nigerians of their capacity to govern.

Peter Obi: Nigeria Can Work, and Nigeria Must Work

Presidential candidate of the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has said Nigeria can overcome its current challenges, declaring that “Nigeria can work, and Nigeria must work.”

Obi made the statement in an address marking the commencement of the 2027 presidential and National Assembly campaign period.

According to him, Wednesday, August 19, 2026, marked the official beginning of campaigns for the 2027 elections, describing the period as a defining moment for Nigeria’s democracy.

He said the campaign would give Nigerians the opportunity to assess the records, ideas and plans of candidates seeking their mandate at a time of what he described as grave uncertainty in a rapidly changing world.

“I consider myself quite privileged to be one of those seeking your mandate to deal with these challenges facing our country,” Obi said.

“I enter this contest with one firm conviction: Nigeria can work, and Nigeria must work.”

Obi highlighted poverty, food insecurity, internal displacement, unemployment, weak infrastructure, unreliable electricity, insecurity and the high cost of doing business among the major challenges confronting the country.

Citing figures attributed to the International Monetary Fund, Obi said 63 per cent of Nigerians, representing more than 140 million people, live at or below the national poverty line.

He also referenced humanitarian estimates indicating that about 35 million Nigerians would require food assistance during the 2026 lean season, while about 3.6 million people remain internally displaced, largely as a result of conflict and insecurity.

The former Anambra State governor said the figures represented more than statistics, arguing that they reflected the everyday struggles of Nigerian families, farmers, workers, students and businesses.

Despite the challenges, Obi said he remained confident in Nigeria’s ability to overcome them.

He said the country possesses the people, resources, market, talent and entrepreneurial capacity needed to build a prosperous economy, but stressed that these strengths must be converted into security, productivity and shared prosperity.

Obi said his experience in the private sector, studies in policy and business and his time as governor of Anambra State had shaped his understanding of public leadership.

According to him, government must manage public resources responsibly, establish clear priorities and measure the results of its decisions.

“Public office is not a reward; it is a responsibility to the people,” he said.

Reflecting on his record in Anambra, Obi said his administration prioritised education, healthcare, infrastructure, fiscal discipline and institutional capacity as foundations for long-term development.

He acknowledged that his record was not perfect but said it represented an experience from which Nigerians could draw their own conclusions.

Obi also highlighted the governing experience of Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, describing their experiences as different but complementary.

He said Kwankwaso’s administration in Kano focused on education, technical training, scholarships, infrastructure and human-capital development.

According to Obi, investments in education and skills demonstrated the importance of treating people as the most important long-term resource of any state.

“Our experiences are different, but our conclusion is the same: Nigeria must invest in its people and manage public resources with discipline,” he said.

On the economy, Obi said Nigeria needed to move beyond reactive reforms and focus on whether government policies were actually improving the lives of citizens.

He questioned whether Nigerians were better off than they were four years ago, whether families could afford food, education and healthcare, and whether businesses could produce, expand and create jobs.

He also raised questions about opportunities for young Nigerians and the ability of farmers to work safely and transport their produce to markets.

Obi said these questions should remain central to the 2027 election debate as Nigerians assess the candidates seeking to lead the country.