The National Sports Commission (NSC) has challenged claims by Peter Obi, presidential candidate for the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), that he was prevented from greeting the U-17 Women’s World Cup winners, the Flamingos, on Monday.
The commission said official of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) had said they did not see Obi anywhere around. It added that they said the team had been approached by two people wearing Obi’s campaign attire asking them to allow Obi take photographs with the players.
“The players had just arrived early that morning on an Air Maroc flight at about 5.30 a.m. and were tired after their journey and a demanding competition,” a statement by Shehu Dikko, NSC Chairman read.
“The officials exercised their judgment in declining the sudden meeting and photograph request at that time, taking account of the players’ welfare and the circumstances of the request and without any prior notice of any arrangement for airport reception for the team.
“Nothing in the account provided by the officials supports the suggestion that their jobs were at risk.”
Dikko said airport officials and passengers welcomed and celebrated the team without discrimination on grounds of political or other affiliations.
The team had arrived via the international wing of the Abuja airport, while Obi should have been at the local terminal to board his flight to Enugu.
“This moment of joy and national pride was duly captured by the media present to cover the team’s arrival and Mr. Obi was never captured anywhere near the team and or at the vicinity of the international wing of the Airport,” he said.
The NSC boss said the commission takes strong exception to Obi’s decision to present the incident as evidence of political intimidation without first seeking clarification from the NFF or the commission.
“These young champions should not be drawn into that controversy and never deserved this from Mr. Obi,” he said.
He noted that the Flamingos are minors and an official within the technical crew protects and guides the players.
“Their welfare, dignity and protection from undue pressure must remain central to every engagement,” he stated.
“This responsibility includes managing access to the players and ensuring that interactions including planned photograph sessions are appropriate and within the regulations.”
The NSC chairman also disputed Obi’s claim that he was prevented from visiting the Super Eagles in the dressing room after Nigeria’s World Cup qualifier against Zimbabwe in Uyo on March 25, 2025.
He said the players had declined to receive visitors after the match, which ended in a 1-1 draw, as they wanted to hold an immediate meeting among themselves.
Dikko added that contrary to Obi’s claim that other government officials were greeting the team, no dignitary or official, including himself, the governors and top NFF officials, visited the players.
