Obi Accuses NFF Officials Of Blocking Him From Welcoming Flamingos
Former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi has accused officials of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) of preventing him from welcoming the victorious Flamingos at the airport, describing the incident as another example of what he called Nigeria’s growing culture of toxic politics.
Obi, in a statement shared on his X account on Monday, said he arrived at the airport at 7am to board a flight to Enugu when he spotted the Nigeria U-17 women’s team preparing to leave after returning from Morocco, where they won the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup.
He said he was delighted to see the young champions and asked his Protocol Officer, Jackie Wayas, to find out whether he could approach the players to congratulate and welcome them home.
However, according to Obi, he was informed that NFF officials had refused his request and warned that they would all lose their jobs if he approached the team.
The former presidential candidate said the incident was not the first time he had allegedly been prevented from greeting Nigerian footballers.
He recalled a similar experience on March 25, 2025, when he attended Nigeria’s World Cup qualifying match in Uyo.
Obi said the governor had warmly received him at the VIP stand before the match, but after the game, he was again prevented from greeting the players by officials who reportedly feared losing their jobs if he proceeded.
Expressing disappointment over what he described as a deterioration in Nigeria’s political climate since 2025, Obi said the country must move away from hostility, intimidation and discrimination based on political affiliation.
He called for a Nigeria where unity, mutual respect and shared humanity take precedence over political differences.
The Flamingos made history in Morocco by defeating Japan 2-1 in Saturday’s final to become the first African nation to win the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup.
Their triumph also made Nigeria the first African country to win both the boys’ and girls’ FIFA U-17 World Cup titles.
