Former Anambra State Governor and Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate Peter Obi has accused officials of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) of barring him from greeting the national Under-17 women’s football team, the Flamingoes, upon their return to Abuja. Obi stated that he was prevented from meeting the players at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in the early hours of Monday, following their victory at the FIFA Under-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco.
In a statement released on Monday, Obi described the incident as a manifestation of "toxic politics," alleging that NFF officials feared professional repercussions if they allowed him to interact with the team. He explained that he arrived at the airport at 7 a.m. to board a flight to Enugu, where he noticed the team preparing to leave the terminal.
“I arrived at the airport at 7 a.m. this morning to board my flight to Enugu. There, I saw the Nigeria Under-17 girls’ team, which had just arrived and was preparing to board its vehicle into town,” Obi said.
Obi recounted that he asked his Protocol Officer, Jackie Wayas, to inquire if he could welcome the players. According to Obi, he was informed that NFF officials had explicitly refused the request, warning that they would lose their jobs if he approached the team. He noted that this was not the first time he had been excluded from such interactions, citing a similar incident during a 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier in Uyo on March 25, 2025, where he was also told he would cause officials to lose their employment if he proceeded to greet the players.
The former governor characterized the event as evidence of a growing culture of hostility in Nigeria, stating that the nation has witnessed increasing political intolerance since 2015. “It is deeply troubling to witness the extent of toxic politics into which our nation has descended since 2025. Each year appears to bring further deterioration. This reflects how deeply Nigeria has been affected,” he said.
Obi called for an end to political bitterness and discrimination, arguing that partisan differences should not hinder the celebration of the country’s sporting achievements. He emphasized that the future vision for Nigeria must prioritize unity and mutual respect over political affiliation.
“The new Nigeria we aspire to build must have no room for hostility, intimidation, or discrimination, regardless of political affiliation,” he said. “It must be a Nigeria in which unity, mutual respect, and our shared humanity take precedence over political differences.”
<small>Source: The Sun Nigeria — read the original story there.</small>
