‘Don’t send money home, ask them to elect capable leaders,’ Peter Obi tells UK-based Nigerians

Rabiu Kwankwaso, vice-presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), has defended the accuracy of most of presidential candidate Peter Obi's statistical claims following criticism from Vice-President Kashim Shettima. Shettima described Obi as "the master of bogus statistics and incoherent economic prescriptions" during the inauguration of the All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign Council in Abuja. Kwankwaso addressed these remarks during an interview with Channels Television, stating that while some of Obi's figures might contain minor errors, the majority were accurate. He emphasized that such inaccuracies are common among humans and did not justify Shettima's harsh critique. Kwankwaso praised Obi's deep understanding of global development statistics, noting it as a strength for a presidential candidate. Kwankwaso explained that his collaboration with Obi stems from shared visions for Nigeria. He highlighted the importance of unity between northern and southern leaders to achieve national progress. Their partnership, according to Kwankwaso, reflects a commitment to addressing the nation's challenges collectively. In another development, Peter Obi urged UK-based Nigerians to stop sending money to relatives in Nigeria and instead focus on electing capable leaders who could combat corruption. During a town hall meeting in the UK, Obi argued that widespread corruption in Nigeria compels family members to seek financial aid from abroad. He suggested that this trend could persist unless effective leaders are chosen. Obi acknowledged his own imperfections but noted that he managed to save substantial amounts of money during his tenure as Anambra State governor from 2006 to 2014. He challenged other governors to match his savings, asserting that none had done so. He positioned himself as a relatively less corrupt option for leadership. Obi also spoke about the prevalence of online attacks against him, suggesting that some individuals are financially motivated to criticize him on social media. He indicated that these critics are often paid to spread negative content, although he refrained from naming specific individuals or groups. During the town hall, Obi encouraged UK-based Nigerians to evaluate political candidates based on their anti-corruption stance. He stressed the importance of rejecting politicians who engage in corrupt practices and use funds to undermine opposition voices on social media. Obi highlighted how such corruption diverts resources away from essential services like healthcare and education. Obi clarified that his message about financial assistance had been misrepresented by political adversaries. Despite efforts by his media team to provide a clear explanation, he felt compelled to address the misinterpretation directly. His intent, he reiterated, was not to alienate UK-based Nigerians from their loved ones in Nigeria but to emphasize the urgent need for change in leadership to tackle systemic issues.