The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has alleged that officials of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) prevented him from welcoming members of Nigeria’s Under-17 female team at the airport.
Obi made the allegation in a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Monday, recounting how he arrived at the airport at about 7 a.m. to board a flight to Enugu and spotted the team preparing to leave for town after their arrival.
The former Anambra State governor disclosed that he asked his Protocol Officer, Jackie Wayas, to find out whether he could greet and welcome the players but was informed that NFF officials had objected to the move.
He alleged that the officials warned that they would lose their jobs if he approached the team.
Obi also recalled a similar incident on March 25, 2025, when he was in Uyo for a World Cup qualifier. He said that although the governor welcomed him at the VIP stand, he was prevented from greeting the players after the match.
He claimed that government officials who stopped him from approaching the players on that occasion also cited the possibility of losing their jobs.
Obi expressed concern over what he described as the growing toxicity of Nigerian politics since 2025, saying the country must move beyond political hostility, intimidation, and discrimination.
He called for a Nigeria where unity, mutual respect, and shared humanity take precedence over political differences.
