Peter Obi, the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate, has alleged that Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) officials stopped him from greeting the Flamingos at an airport because they feared losing their jobs.
Obi made the allegation in a post on X on Monday, describing the incident as evidence of a growing culture of toxic politics in Nigeria.
He said he arrived at the airport around 7 a.m. to board a flight to Enugu when he saw the Under-17 women’s national team, who had just returned from Morocco.
He said he asked his Protocol Officer, Jackie Wayas, to find out whether he could greet and welcome the players.
He alleged that NFF officials rejected the request.
“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,” he wrote.
A Pattern of Exclusion
Obi said the incident was not the first time he had been prevented from interacting with a Nigerian national team.
He recalled that on March 25, 2025, he travelled to Uyo for a World Cup qualifying match.
The state governor warmly received him at the VIP stand.
However, after the match, when other government officials went to greet the players, he was prevented from doing the same.
According to him, officials again claimed they would lose their jobs if he proceeded to greet the players.
He said the situation appeared to deteriorate with each passing year.
“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 Flamingos arrived in Abuja on Monday after their 2-1 victory over Japan in the final of the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Rabat, Morocco.
Presidency Fires Back
The presidency accused Obi of politicising the airport encounter.
Dada Olusegun, Special Assistant to President Bola Tinubu on Social Media, said national athletes represent the entire country and should not be drawn into partisan disputes.
“The constant attempt by the opposition to politicise our national sports teams and institutions is highly distasteful,” Olusegun wrote on X.
Olusegun said protocol arrangements for national teams are intended to protect young athletes from political exploitation, commercial distractions, and unnecessary media attention while 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,” he said.
He also accused Obi of relying on unverified information to portray himself as a victim.
“Mr Peter Obi, I hope you will reflect on your manipulative way of life and stop weaponising unverified hearsay to build a victim narrative,” Olusegun wrote.
A Historic Victory Overshadowed
The exchange came after the Flamingos won Nigeria’s first FIFA Under-17 Women’s World Cup title, defeating Japan 2-1 in the final in Rabat, Morocco, on November 7.
The controversy has drawn attention away from the team’s historic achievement.
The Flamingos’ victory marks a milestone for Nigerian women’s football.
Obi maintained that the country should reject political hostility.
He called for a Nigeria where unity and mutual respect take precedence over party differences.
