The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has accused former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi of hypocrisy over his allegation that officials of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) prevented him from greeting members of the Flamingos, Nigeria’s Under-17 women’s national football team.
Keyamo, in a post on his X account on Monday, questioned why Obi was eager to associate with what he described as a national success story despite frequently criticising the country and its leadership.
The minister suggested that Obi’s interest in greeting the players was driven by a desire to take photographs with the victorious team.
Keyamo wrote, “Mr Peter Obi, in all your public vituperations, you often say things akin to the fact that ‘Nigeria is finished’. So, why are you now so anxious to associate with a success story of the country or this government? Just for photo ops? You see the hypocrisy?”
Obi had earlier alleged that NFF officials prevented him from greeting the Flamingos at the airport on Monday, claiming they feared losing their jobs if they allowed him to approach the players.
The former Anambra State governor said he arrived at the airport around 7am to board a flight to Enugu when he sighted the team, which had just returned to the country.
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He said he subsequently asked his protocol officer, Jackie Wayas, to find out whether he could greet and welcome the players but was informed that NFF officials had rejected the request.
Obi also recalled a similar experience on March 25, 2025, when he travelled to Uyo for a World Cup qualifying match. He alleged that he was prevented from greeting members of the national team after the match, despite the governor having welcomed him at the VIP stand.
Describing the incidents as evidence of what he called the growing culture of toxic politics in Nigeria, Obi argued that political differences should not prevent citizens from showing mutual respect or celebrating national achievements.
He maintained that the Nigeria the country aspires to build should have no room for hostility, intimidation or discrimination based on political affiliation.
The exchange followed the Flamingos’ historic 2-1 victory over Japan in the final of the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Rabat, Morocco, which secured Nigeria its first title in the competition.
The team returned to Abuja on Monday following the triumph.