Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), has accused officials of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) of preventing him from greeting members of the national Under-17 women’s football team, the Flamingos, at an airport.
Gatekeepers News reports that Obi raised the allegation in a post on his official X handle on Monday, describing the incident as another example of growing political intolerance and hostility in the country.
The former Anambra State governor said he encountered the team at the airport at about 7 a.m. while preparing to board a flight to Enugu.
According to him, the players had just arrived and were preparing to board a vehicle into town when he spotted them and expressed excitement at seeing the team.
He said he subsequently asked his Protocol Officer, Jackie Wayas, to find out whether he could approach the players to congratulate and welcome them.
However, Obi alleged that NFF officials turned down the request, claiming they would lose their jobs if they allowed him to interact with the team.
He expressed disappointment over the development, saying it was not the first time he had allegedly been prevented from greeting members of a national football team.
Obi recalled a similar incident on March 25, 2025, when he travelled to Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, to watch a World Cup qualifying match.
He said he was warmly received by the state governor and welcomed at the VIP stand but was allegedly prevented from greeting the players after the match when other government officials approached them.
According to him, officials again warned that they could lose their jobs if they allowed him to interact with the players.
The NDC presidential candidate said the incidents reflected the worsening political climate in Nigeria and the growing influence of partisan considerations in public affairs.
“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 maintained that political differences should not undermine national unity, mutual respect and peaceful coexistence.
He said the Nigeria citizens aspire to build must not accommodate hostility, intimidation or discrimination based on political affiliation.
“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.
He urged Nigerians to embrace a political culture that places national interest and shared humanity above partisan considerations.
