The Nigerian Presidency has sharply criticized NDC presidential candidate Peter Obi, accusing him of politicizing the nation’s sports institutions following his comments on the treatment of the Under-17 female football team. Dada Olusegun, President Bola Tinubu’s Special Assistant on Social Media, issued a statement describing Obi’s actions as "distasteful" and a "disservice to the unity that sports are meant to foster."
The controversy stems from Obi’s recent posts on his X handle, where he alleged that officials from the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) prevented him from greeting the young players. Obi claimed that the federation staff feared losing their jobs if they allowed him to interact with the team, a situation he described as a "new dimension of toxic politics in Nigeria."
In response, Olusegun insisted that national athletes represent the entire Federal Republic of Nigeria rather than any specific political party or individual. He argued that the protocols guiding national teams are specifically designed to protect young athletes from political exploitation, commercial distractions, and unnecessary media attention while they are on official duty.
“To spin standard security and administrative protocols into a narrative of political victimisation is a disservice to the unity that sports are meant to foster in our country,” Olusegun stated.
The Special Assistant further urged Obi to reconsider his approach, warning against the use of unverified information to create a narrative of victimhood. “Mr Peter Obi, I hope you will reflect on your manipulative way of life and stop weaponising unverified hearsay to build a victim narrative,” he said.
Olusegun concluded by calling for a return to focus on athletic performance, stating that the athletes should be allowed to concentrate on winning for Nigeria "free from political theatre." The exchange highlights ongoing tensions between political figures and sports governance in Nigeria ahead of the 2026 U-17 Women’s World Cup.
<small>Source: Daily Post Nigeria — read the original story there.</small>
