NSC Hits Back At Peter Obi Over Flamingos Airport Controversy

The National Sports Commission (NSC) has rejected Peter Obi’s account of his encounter with officials of the Nigeria U-17 women’s team, the Flamingos, at Abuja airport, insisting that their World Cup triumph must not be politicised.

In a statement issued on Monday and signed by NSC Chairman Shehu Dikko, the Commission said officials who accompanied and received the team did not see the former Anambra State governor near the players at the airport.

Dikko said two individuals wearing campaign face caps and other Peter Obi campaign attire approached officials to request that Obi meet and take photographs with the players. He added that the proposed arrangement would likely have involved campaign materials.

According to the NSC chairman, officials declined the unscheduled request because the players had arrived from Morocco at about 5:30 a.m. aboard an Air Maroc flight and were tired after their journey and demanding World Cup campaign.

He said there had been no prior notice of any airport reception arrangement involving Obi, adding that the decision was taken with the players’ welfare in mind.

The Commission also disputed the suggestion that Obi had been prevented from meeting the team because of his political affiliation, noting that the Flamingos were welcomed by Nigerians who took photographs, danced and shook hands with the players as they made their way to their buses.

Dikko said Obi had stated that he was at the airport to board a flight to Enugu, which would ordinarily depart from the domestic terminal, while the Flamingos arrived through the international terminal.

The NSC chairman accused Obi of presenting the episode as evidence of political intimidation without first seeking clarification from the Commission or the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).

He urged the former presidential candidate to apologise to the young players, saying their moment of glory should not have been overshadowed by what he described as a political controversy.

‘The Flamingos are minors and have a dedicated safeguarding official within the technical crew to protect and guide the players,’ Dikko said, stressing that their welfare, dignity and protection from undue pressure must remain central to every engagement.

He added that access to the players, including photograph sessions, must be properly arranged and comply with safeguarding regulations, regardless of whether the request comes from public officials, political figures or other members of the public.

Dikko also questioned the timing of Obi’s involvement, acknowledging his congratulatory messages during the closing stages of the competition but calling for consistent support for national teams throughout their preparation, competitions and setbacks.

He invited Obi and other Nigerians interested in meeting or hosting the Flamingos to submit formal requests through the NSC or NFF so that appropriate arrangements could be made.

The Commission further disclosed that a Nigerian businessman who sponsored a delegation to Morocco to support the team during the final donated $50,000 to the players on the pitch without seeking publicity or political recognition.

Dikko also rejected Obi’s claim that he had previously been prevented from visiting the Super Eagles in their dressing room after Nigeria’s 1-1 World Cup qualifying draw with Zimbabwe in Uyo on March 25, 2025.

He said he sat in the same row as Obi and several governors during the match, but the players, unhappy with the result, chose to hold an immediate meeting among themselves and declined to receive visitors.

Consequently, Dikko said no dignitary or official, including himself, the governors or senior NFF officials, entered the dressing room.

He added that FIFA match protocols also restricted access to technical areas, including dressing rooms, to accredited personnel and individuals cleared through the football federation.

Dikko warned that breaches of such protocols could attract sanctions against the NFF or even lead to a stadium being barred from hosting future matches.

He concluded that the Flamingos’ historic World Cup triumph should serve as a source of national unity rather than become another platform for political division.