Former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi has accused officials of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) of preventing him from greeting members of Nigeria’s U-17 women’s national team, the Flamingos, at an airport.
Obi made the allegation in a post on his X account on Monday, describing the incident as another example of what he called the growing culture of toxic politics in Nigeria.
He said he arrived at the airport at 7am to board a flight to Enugu when he sighted the team, which had recently arrived and was preparing to leave the airport.
According to him, he asked his protocol officer, Jackie Wayas, to find out whether he could approach and welcome the players but was informed that NFF officials had objected.
“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,” Obi wrote.
The former Anambra State governor said the incident was not the first time he had allegedly been prevented from interacting with Nigerian footballers.
He recalled an experience on March 25, 2025, when he travelled to Uyo for a World Cup qualifying match.
READ ALSO: Obi: NFF Officials Stopped Me From Greeting Nigeria’s U-17 Girls At Airport
Obi said the state governor had welcomed him at the VIP stand, but after the match, he was prevented from greeting the players when other government officials went to meet them.
He alleged that officials again warned him that they could lose their jobs if he approached the team.
Expressing concern over the incidents, Obi said Nigeria had experienced a deterioration in political relations since 2025, arguing that political differences should not determine how citizens are treated.
“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 a country where hostility, intimidation and discrimination based on political affiliation would have no place, stressing the need for unity and mutual respect.
“The new Nigeria we aspire to build must have no room for hostility, intimidation, or discrimination, regardless of political affiliation. It must be a Nigeria in which unity, mutual respect, and our shared humanity take precedence over political differences,” he added.
Obi concluded his message with his familiar declaration: “A new Nigeria is POssible.”
The NFF’s response to Obi’s allegations was not included in his statement.