Former Anambra State Governor and presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has accused officials of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) of preventing him from meeting Nigeria’s Under-17 women’s football team, the Flamingos, at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.
Obi said he was stopped from greeting the players, who arrived in the country in the early hours of Monday following their triumph at the FIFA Under-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco.
In a statement on Monday, the former presidential candidate described the incident as another example of what he called “toxic politics”, alleging that NFF officials feared losing their jobs if they allowed him to meet the team.
Obi said he arrived at the airport around 7am to board a flight to Enugu when he noticed the team preparing to leave the airport.
“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,” he said.
He added: “With genuine joy and enthusiasm, I asked my Protocol Officer, Jackie Wayas, to find out whether I could greet and welcome the team. I was informed that officials of the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) had refused and had requested that I not approach them because, if I did, they would all lose their jobs.”
The former Anambra governor said the incident was not the first time he had been prevented from interacting with Nigerian footballers, recalling a similar experience during the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier in Uyo on March 25, 2025.
“Following the match, other government officials went to greet the players, but I was again prevented from doing so. I was told by the officials that they would lose their jobs if I proceeded,” he said.
Obi described the development as a sign of worsening political intolerance in the country, alleging that Nigeria had witnessed a growing culture of hostility 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.
He called for an end to political bitterness and discrimination, insisting that political differences should not prevent Nigerians from celebrating the country’s sporting achievements.
“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.”
(The Sun)