The 2027 presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has accused officials of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) of preventing him from greeting Nigeria’s Under-17 girls’ team at an airport in Enugu.
Mr Obi said the officials claimed they would lose their jobs if he approached the players.
In a statement posted on his X handle on Monday, Mr Obi said he arrived at the airport at 7 a.m. to board his flight to Enugu when he saw the team, which had just arrived and was preparing to board its vehicle into town.
With what he described as genuine joy and enthusiasm, he said he asked his protocol officer, Jackie Wayas, to find out whether he 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,” Mr Obi said.
Mr Obi said the incident was not the first time he had been subjected to such treatment.
He recalled that on March 25, 2025, he was in Uyo for a World Cup qualifier where, according to him, the governor warmly received him and welcomed him 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,” he added.
‘Toxic politics’
The former Anambra State governor said the two incidents reflected what he described as a new dimension of toxic politics that Nigeria has developed since 2025.
“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.
Mr Obi argued that the country Nigeria aspires to build must have no room for hostility, intimidation, or discrimination, regardless of political affiliation.
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“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 said.
Presidency speaks
Special Assistant to the President on Social Media, Olusegun Dada, said the constant attempt by the opposition to politicise the national sports teams and institutions is highly distasteful.
“Our national athletes, including the Under-17 girls’ team, represent the entire Federal Republic of Nigeria, not any specific political party or individual ambition,” he said.
Mr Dada said protocol guidelines around national teams are designed strictly to protect young athletes from political exploitation, commercial distractions, and unnecessary media circuses while on official duty.
“To spin standard security and administrative protocols into a narrative of political victimisation is a disservice to the unity that sports are meant to foster in our country.
“Mr Peter Obi, I hope you will reflect on your manipulative way of life and stop weaponising unverified hearsay to build a victim narrative. Let our athletes focus on winning for Nigeria, free from political theatre,” he said.
