Bashir Ahmad, a former presidential spokesperson and chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has publicly disagreed with Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate Peter Obi regarding allegations made against the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF). The dispute centers on an incident at the airport where Obi claimed he was prevented from greeting members of Nigeria’s Under-17 female football team upon their return from a victory.
In a statement titled “A New Dimension of Toxic Politics in Nigeria,” Obi stated that he arrived at the airport to board a flight to Enugu and spotted the team returning to the country. The former Anambra State governor said he instructed his protocol officer, Jackie Wayas, to determine if he could approach the players. Obi alleged that he was subsequently informed that NFF officials had objected to the move, warning that staff would lose their jobs if he approached the team.
Reacting to these claims, Ahmad faulted Obi’s interpretation of the event, arguing that being denied access to greet the football team did not necessarily constitute political persecution. He suggested that standard protocol, security, and administrative considerations might have informed the decision to restrict access.
Ahmad emphasized that Nigeria is bigger than any individual or political party, urging stakeholders to prioritize facts and responsibility over narratives that unnecessarily inflame political tensions.
“A new Nigeria is possible, but not through perpetual political antagonism,” Ahmad stated.
The exchange highlights ongoing tensions between political figures in Nigeria, with Ahmad advocating for a more measured approach to public discourse amidst the current political climate.
<small>Source: Daily Post Nigeria — read the original story there.</small>
