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By John Azu
Officials of the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) have reportedly stopped former Anambra State Governor and presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, from welcoming Nigeria’s victorious U-17 women’s national football team, the Flamingos, upon their arrival in the country.
The Flamingos emerged champions of the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup on November 17 in Rabat, Morocco, after defeating Japan 2-1 in the final.
Awawu Bashiru and Oluebube Umejiaku scored for Nigeria, while Fuki Ito netted Japan’s only goal.
Obi, who was travelling from Abuja to Enugu, said he saw the team arriving at the airport and decided to welcome the players. However, when his aides approached the officials to seek permission, they reportedly pleaded with him not to proceed, saying they could lose their jobs if he greeted the team.
In a statement posted on his X handle on Monday, Obi said he respected the officials’ position but described the incident as another manifestation of what he called 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,” he said.
“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,” Obi said.