Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress in the forthcoming 2027 election, has alleged toxic politics made officials of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to bar him from greeting the Flamingos, Nigeria’s U-17 women’s team, at the Abuja airport on Monday.
The former Anambra governor said he had spotted the players and officials, who beat Japan in Saturday’s final to win the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Rabat, Morocco, when they arrived. He said his request to greet them had been turned down by officials of the NFF for fear of losing their jobs.
Obi said this in a signed statement posted via his official X handle on Monday.
He recounted suffering similar fate at a world cup qualifier in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital. He said the governor had welcomed him warmly but NFF officials prevented him from greeting the team after the match, despite other government officials being allowed to do so.
A NEW DIMENSION OF TOXIC POLITICS IN NIGERIA
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.
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. -PO
— Peter Obi (@PeterObi) November 9, 2026
Flamingos defeat Japan to claim historic world cup victory
Nigeria’s Flamingos won the U-17 Women’s World Cup for the first time after beating Japan 2-1 in the final in Morocco on Saturday. Awawu Bashiru and Oluebube Umejiaku scored the goals the secured the victory.
The achievement also made the Flamingos the first African side to win the global age-grade competition.
The team had an impressive run of form before the tournament, having won the 2026 WAFU-B U-17 Girls Cup in Côte d’Ivoire with a perfect record of five wins from five matches, coring 17 goals and only letting in one.
Head coach Hakeem Busari, speaking after the final, said the Flamingos had navigated a challenging group that featured the defending champions, describing their campaign as evidence of the development of women’s youth football on the continent.
The team arrived Abuja on Monday.
