The Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, has rejected claims by Nigeria Democratic Congress presidential candidate, Peter Obi that his remarks about Nigerians living abroad were misrepresented.

Onanuga insisted that Obi’s original message was clear and not distorted.
In a post on his X handle on Wednesday, Onanuga said the former Anambra State governor failed to clarify the comments he made in Manchester. He added that Obi’s latest statement only reaffirmed what he had said earlier.

“Mr Peter Obi, you failed to clarify your Manchester callous statement. Nobody twisted your statement. Thank you for affirming it again,” Onanuga wrote.

Obi had on Tuesday accused political opponents of twisting his comments. He said he appreciated Nigerians in the diaspora for their sacrifices and the financial support they provide to relatives at home, noting that remittances help families cover school fees, hospital bills, rent and food.

The former governor maintained that he did not ask Nigerians abroad to abandon their loved ones. Instead, he expressed concern that millions of citizens still depend on relatives overseas for basic needs and called for a Nigeria that creates jobs, affordable healthcare, quality education and opportunities so people can support themselves at home.