Firdaus Obiremi
Former Anambra governor accuses football federation officials of political intimidation, says they feared losing their jobs if he greeted World Cup-winning girls
The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has accused officials of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) of preventing him from welcoming Nigeria’s victorious Under-17 women’s football team, the Flamingos, at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.
Obi alleged that the officials barred him from approaching the players and their handlers because they feared losing their jobs if he exchanged pleasantries with the team.
The former Anambra State governor made the allegation in a statement on Monday following the arrival of the Flamingos in Nigeria after their triumph at the Under-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco.
Obi said he arrived at the airport around 7am on Monday to board a flight to Enugu when he sighted the returning players preparing to leave the airport.
According to him, he immediately expressed interest in greeting and congratulating the young footballers over their achievement but was allegedly prevented from doing so by NFF officials.
He said his protocol officer, Jackie Wayas, was directed to establish whether he could approach 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 stated.
Expressing disappointment over the development, the NDC presidential candidate described the alleged action as another manifestation of what he called toxic politics in Nigeria.
He also recalled a similar incident on March 25, 2025, when he visited Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, for a World Cup qualifying match.
Obi said although the state governor warmly received him at the VIP stand, he was allegedly prevented from greeting the players after the match.
He claimed that some government officials were allowed to interact with the players while he was stopped on the grounds that those responsible could lose their jobs if he was permitted to approach the team.
The former governor lamented what he described as the growing influence of political considerations in national affairs, arguing that partisan differences should not undermine moments of collective national celebration.
He said the alleged incidents reflected a disturbing trend in which individuals were subjected to restrictions because of their political affiliations.
“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.
Obi called for a political environment devoid of bitterness, intimidation and discrimination, insisting that national interests should take precedence over partisan loyalties.
He maintained that Nigeria must become a country where citizens can freely celebrate national achievements irrespective of their political leanings.
“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.
However, the NFF had yet to publicly respond to Obi’s allegations as of the time of filing this report.
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