‘Toxic Politics’: NFF officials stopped me from greeting Flamingos — Obi alleges
Nigerian Presidential Candidate Alleges Interference at Airport Greeting
By Enitan Abdultawab
Peter Obi, the presidential candidate for the Nigeria Democratic Congress, has alleged that officials from the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) obstructed him from greeting the Under-17 women’s national football team, the Flamingos, at an airport due to concerns over their job security.
In a post on social media platform X, Obi recounted his experience at the airport, where he arrived around 7 a.m. to board a flight to Enugu and spotted the Flamingos, who had just landed after their match in Morocco. According to Obi, when he requested his Protocol Officer, Jackie Wayas, to inquire about the possibility of greeting the team, NFF officials declined the request. They reportedly warned that they would face job consequences if he approached the players.
Obi termed this incident a reflection of the “growing culture of toxic politics” in Nigeria, noting it was not his first encounter with such barriers. He recalled a previous occasion on March 25, 2025, when he attended a World Cup qualifying match in Uyo. After the game, despite an invitation from the state governor to the VIP area, he was again reportedly prevented from greeting the players by officials who cited job security concerns.
The former governor of Anambra State expressed grave worries about what he sees as a deteriorating political climate in Nigeria. He emphasized that the nation should strive for an environment devoid of hostility or discrimination based on political affiliations.
“The new Nigeria we aspire to build must have no room for hostility, intimidation, or discrimination, regardless of political affiliation,” he stated.
The Flamingos arrived in Abuja on Monday following their 2-1 victory over Japan in the final of the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Rabat, Morocco.
