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The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, on Monday accused officials of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) of preventing him from greeting the country’s Under-17 women’s team at an airport, saying they feared losing their jobs if they allowed him to approach the players.
Obi said he arrived at the airport at 7 a.m. to board a flight to Enugu when he saw the team, which had just arrived and was preparing to leave the airport.
He said he asked his protocol officer, Jackie Wayas, to find out whether he could welcome the players but was told that NFF officials had refused the request.
“With genuine joy and enthusiasm, I asked my Protocol Officer, Jackie Wayas, to find out whether I could greet and welcome the team,” Obi wrote in a post on X.
“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.”
Nigeria’s Flamingos. Credit: X.He said the incident was not the first time he had been prevented from greeting Nigerian players.
Obi recalled that during a World Cup qualifying match in Uyo on March 25, 2025, he was welcomed by the state governor at the VIP stand but was later stopped from greeting players after the match.
He called for a country where political differences do not lead to hostility or discrimination, saying unity and mutual respect should take precedence over party affiliations.
“Regrettably, this is not the first time I have been subjected to such treatment. On March 25, 2025, I was in Uyo for the World Cup qualifier. The governor warmly received me and welcomed me at the VIP stand. Following the match, other government officials went to greet the players, but I was again prevented from doing so,” he stated.
“I was told by the officials that they would lose their jobs if I proceeded. 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. 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.”
The allegation came as the Flamingos returned to Nigeria following a historic triumph at the FIFA Under-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco.
Nigeria defeated Japan 2-1 in Saturday’s final in Rabat, with goals from Awawu Bashiru and Oluebube Umejiaku securing the country’s first title in the competition.
The victory also made Nigeria the first African nation to win the tournament. Japan’s Fuki Ito scored in the 80th minute, but the Nigerian side held on to claim the trophy.
A NEW DIMENSION OF TOXIC POLITICS IN NIGERIA
The new dimension of toxic politics that Nigeria has developed since 2025,
I arrived at the airport at 7 a.m. this morning to board my flight to Enugu. There, I saw the Nigeria Under-17 girls’ team, which had just arrived and was preparing to board its vehicle into town.
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.
Regrettably, this is not the first time I have been subjected to such treatment. On March 25, 2025, I was in Uyo for the World Cup qualifier. The governor warmly received me and welcomed me at the VIP stand. 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.
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.
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.
A new Nigeria is POssible. -PO
— Peter Obi (@PeterObi) November 9, 2026
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