The Nigerian Presidency has rebuked former Vice President Peter Obi after he alleged that officials of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) stopped him from greeting the women’s national football team, the Flamingos, describing the claim as a politicisation of sport.
Obi asserted that NFF officials prevented him from offering a greeting to the Flamingos, a statement that quickly drew a response from the Office of the President.
In its reply, the Presidency faulted Obi’s allegation and accused him of turning a sporting matter into a political issue, urging that national sports be kept free from partisan debate.
The Flamingos represent Nigeria in women’s football, competing in regional tournaments such as the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations and seeking qualification for the FIFA Women’s World Cup.
The exchange underscores ongoing tensions between political figures and sports administrators, with the Presidency emphasizing that sport should remain separate from political agendas.
<small>Source: Punch Nigeria — read the original story there.</small>
