The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has urged Nigerians living in the United Kingdom to reconsider sending money to relatives at home, calling on them to support efforts to change the country’s leadership ahead of the 2027 general election.

Obi made the appeal on Sunday during a town hall meeting with supporters in the UK, where he sought the backing of Nigerians in the diaspora for his presidential ambition.

The former Anambra State governor encouraged Nigerians abroad to challenge relatives who frequently request financial assistance and instead persuade them to support political change in the country.

“I need you people, and that is why I’m having lunch with you today. This lunch is for you to say, this man came and what he said is the reality of our problem. Let’s work with him,” Obi said.

He added: “You have people at home who are begging you for money. Tell them no. Let’s put somebody who has proven, I said I’m not a saint, but at least I have said something.”

Obi also challenged former governors to demonstrate how much public money they had saved during their time in office, arguing that their records should be open to scrutiny.

He maintained that Nigerians should be willing to consider leaders with comparatively better records of public service as part of efforts to address corruption.

“So, let’s start with this one who is maybe less corrupt. We are not saying it is all, but let’s not pretend it is not happening,” he said.

The NDC candidate further argued that Nigeria could achieve meaningful progress if citizens collectively rejected corruption and the alleged diversion of public funds.

According to him, resources allegedly misappropriated by public officials could have been channelled into critical sectors such as education, healthcare and infrastructure.

“That is how the countries change. Countries change by people saying, hey, wait a minute, enough of this,” Obi said.

He also recalled what he described as a period when public services were better managed, contrasting it with allegations of public officials accumulating properties and missing funds.

Obi’s appeal forms part of his engagement with Nigerians in the diaspora as he seeks support for his 2027 presidential bid, with corruption, accountability and the management of public resources remaining central themes of his political message.