Former Anambra State Governor and Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has accused officials of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) of preventing him from greeting Nigeria’s victorious Under-17 women’s football team, the Flamingos, at an airport.
Obi alleged that the officials refused to allow him to approach the players because they feared losing their jobs if he interacted with the team.
He made the allegation in a post on X on Monday, describing the incident as another example of what he called the growing culture of toxic politics in Nigeria.
According to Obi, he arrived at the airport at about 7am to board a flight to Enugu when he noticed the Flamingos had returned from their international assignment and were preparing to leave.
He said he instructed his protocol officer, Jackie Wayas, to enquire whether he could welcome and congratulate the players.
However, Obi claimed he was informed that the NFF officials had rejected the request and warned that they could lose their jobs if he was allowed to approach the team.
Obi Recalls Similar Experience in 2025
The politician said the incident was not the first time he had allegedly been prevented from interacting with members of a Nigerian national football team.
He recalled travelling to Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, on March 25, 2025, for a World Cup qualifying match, where he said the state governor received him at the VIP stand.
Obi alleged that after the match, other government officials were allowed to greet the players, but he was prevented from doing the same.
He claimed officials again cited fears of losing their jobs as the reason for restricting his interaction with the team.
Expressing concern over what he described as a worsening political climate, Obi argued that political differences should not determine how Nigerians interact with one another, particularly when national sporting achievements are involved.
‘National Unity Must Come Before Politics’
Obi called for a Nigeria where citizens could interact freely without hostility, intimidation or discrimination based on political affiliation.
He maintained that national unity and mutual respect should take precedence over partisan interests, especially when celebrating the achievements of Nigerian athletes representing the country on the international stage.
The allegation comes after the Flamingos returned to Abuja following their 2–1 victory over Japan in the final of the FIFA Under-17 Women’s World Cup in Rabat, Morocco.
Their triumph marked a significant achievement for Nigerian women’s football and drew attention to the team’s performance on the global stage.
As of the time of reporting, the NFF had not publicly responded to Obi’s allegation.
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