Obi Alleges Toxic Politics After NFF Officials Prevent Him From Greeting Flamingos

Former presidential candidate says football officials feared losing their jobs if they allowed him to approach Nigeria’s Under-17 women’s team

The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has condemned what he described as a new dimension of toxic politics in Nigeria, alleging that officials of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) prevented him from greeting members of the country’s Under-17 women’s football team at an airport.

Obi, in a statement titled “A New Dimension of Toxic Politics in Nigeria,” said he arrived at the airport at 7 a.m. on Monday to board a flight to Enugu when he encountered the team, which had just arrived and was preparing to board its vehicle.

According to him, he expressed excitement at seeing the young footballers and instructed his Protocol Officer, Jackie Wayas, to find out whether he could greet and welcome them.

He, however, alleged that NFF officials declined his request, claiming they would lose their jobs if he approached the players.

“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,” Obi said.

The former Anambra State governor described the incident as troubling, noting that it was not the first time he had allegedly been prevented from interacting with members of a national football team.

He recalled a similar experience on March 25, 2025, when he travelled to Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, to attend a World Cup qualifying match.

Obi said the governor had warmly received him at the VIP stand, but following the match, he was prevented from greeting the players when other government officials went to meet them.

He alleged that officials again warned him against approaching the players, saying they would lose their jobs if he did so.

Expressing concern over what he considered an increasingly hostile political environment, Obi said Nigeria had witnessed a disturbing escalation of toxic politics since 2025.

“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,” he said.

Obi argued that political differences should not be allowed to undermine national unity, mutual respect or the dignity of citizens, regardless of their political affiliations.

He called for a Nigeria where hostility, intimidation and discrimination have no place, insisting that the country’s collective aspirations should transcend partisan considerations.

“The new Nigeria we aspire to build must have no room for hostility, intimidation, or discrimination, regardless of political affiliation,” he said.

He added that the country should be one in which unity, mutual respect and shared humanity take precedence over political differences.

Obi concluded his statement with his familiar declaration that “a new Nigeria is possible.”

The allegations come amid continuing debates over the relationship between politics, public institutions and national sporting activities, particularly concerns about whether political considerations are increasingly influencing access to national teams and public events.

The NFF had not responded to Obi’s allegations in the statement provided.