The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has accused officials of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) of preventing him from greeting members of the national Under-17 women’s team, the Flamingos, at an airport on Monday.
Obi alleged that the officials warned that they could lose their jobs if they allowed him to approach the players, describing the incident as another example of what he called the growing culture of toxic politics in Nigeria.
First Daily recalls that the U17 Women had just won the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco, defeating Japan 2-1, to become the first African team to win the title.
The former Anambra State governor made the allegation in a statement titled “A NEW DIMENSION OF TOXIC POLITICS IN NIGERIA”, posted on his official X handle on Monday, November 9.
He said he arrived at the airport around 7 a.m. to catch a flight to Enugu when he noticed the Flamingos, who had just arrived and were preparing to leave the airport.
According to Obi, he asked his Protocol Officer, Jackie Wayas, to find out whether he could welcome the players, but was informed that NFF officials had objected.
He wrote, “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.”
Obi said the incident was not the first time he had been prevented from interacting with members of a national sports team.
He recalled travelling to Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, on March 25, 2025, for a World Cup qualifying match, where he said he was initially welcomed by the state governor at the VIP stand.
However, he alleged that after the match, government officials were allowed to greet the players while he was stopped from doing so.
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He said, “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.”
The NDC candidate expressed concern over what he described as the worsening state of political intolerance, arguing that the incidents reflected a broader problem affecting the country.
He said, “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.”
Obi called for a political environment where disagreements would not lead to hostility or discrimination, regardless of party affiliation.
“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 stated.
He ended the statement with his familiar slogan, “A new Nigeria is POssible. -PO”
As of press time, the NFF had not issued a statement responding to Obi’s allegations.