Peter Obi Claims NFF Officials Stopped Him from Greeting Flamingos at Airport

Peter Obi, the presidential candidate for the Nigeria Democratic Congress, has accused officials from the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) of preventing him from greeting the Flamingos, Nigeria’s Under-17 women’s national football team, at an airport. This incident occurred as he was preparing to board a flight to Enugu.

Obi stated that he arrived at the airport around 7 a.m. and saw the Flamingos, who had just returned after winning the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco. He asked his Protocol Officer, Jackie Wayas, to check if he could greet the team. However, NFF officials allegedly refused his request, warning that they would lose their jobs if he approached the players.

This is not the first time Obi claims he has faced similar restrictions. He recalled an incident on March 25, 2025, when he attended a World Cup qualifying match in Uyo. After the game, while other officials greeted the players, he was reportedly stopped by NFF officials who again cited job security concerns.

Obi expressed his worries about what he calls a growing culture of toxic politics in Nigeria. He believes that the political climate has worsened since 2025, creating an environment of hostility and intimidation. He emphasized the need for a more united Nigeria, where respect and shared humanity are valued over political differences.

The Flamingos arrived in Abuja on Monday after their victory against Japan in the World Cup final, marking a significant achievement for the team.