Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), has alleged that officials of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) prevented him from congratulating Nigeria’s victorious Under-17 women’s team, the Flamingos, at the airport in Abuja.
Obi said he was at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport on Monday morning to board a flight to Enugu when he saw the team, which had just returned from winning the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco. He asked his protocol officer, Jackie Wayas, to find out whether he could greet and welcome the players.
According to Obi, NFF officials rejected the request pleading that they could lose their jobs if he was allowed to approach the team.
“Save our jobs,” the officials reportedly pleaded, an excuse that reduces a national celebration to a fearful political calculation.
In his characteristic restraint, Obi nonetheless, respected their position and did not force the encounter. But he condemned the incident on X as “A NEW DIMENSION OF TOXIC POLITICS IN NIGERIA.”
According to the frontline presidential candidate in the January 16, 2027 all-important election, "this is 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."
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