Former Anambra State Governor and 2027 presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, Peter Obi, has accused officials of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) of preventing him from congratulating Nigeria’s victorious Under-17 women’s football team, the Flamingos, at the Abuja airport.
Obi made the allegation in a statement issued on Monday, titled “A New Dimension of Toxic Politics in Nigeria,” in which he expressed concern over what he described as the growing influence of political intolerance and division in the country.
According to him, he arrived at the Abuja airport around 7am on Monday to catch a flight to Enugu when he encountered the Flamingos, who had just returned from Morocco after winning the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup.
He said he instructed his Protocol Officer, Jackie Wayas, to enquire whether he could approach the players to congratulate them on their historic achievement.
However, Obi alleged that he was informed that NFF officials had declined his request and instructed that he should not approach the team.
“I was informed that officials of the Nigerian Football Federation had refused and had requested that I not approach,” he said.
The former governor described the incident as another example of what he considered the dangerous consequences of partisan politics, recalling a similar experience during Nigeria’s World Cup qualifier against Zimbabwe in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, on March 25, 2025.
Obi said although the state governor had welcomed him at the VIP stand before the match, he was subsequently prevented from greeting the players after the game.
He alleged that government officials who went to interact with the players were allowed to do so, while he was stopped.
“I was told by the officials that they would lose their jobs if I proceeded,” he recalled.
Expressing disappointment over the incidents, Obi said Nigeria’s political environment had become increasingly hostile, with political affiliations seemingly taking precedence over national unity and shared achievements.
“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,” he said.
He called for a country where political differences would not translate into hostility, discrimination or exclusion, urging Nigerians to prioritise unity, mutual respect and their common humanity above partisan considerations.
The NFF had yet to respond publicly to Obi’s allegations as of the time of filing this report.
The Flamingos returned to Abuja on Monday following their 2-1 victory over Japan in Saturday’s final in Morocco, becoming the first African country to win the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup.