The Presidency has chided Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), after he claimed toxic politics was responsible for the refusal by Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) officials to allow him to greet the U-17 Women’s World Cup champions, Flamingos, who arrived the country on Monday morning.
Obi had said he was on his way to Enugu when he spotted them arriving from Rabat, Morocco, where they defeated Japan in the final of the World Cup on Saturday. He added that he was not allowed to greet the players and officials, claiming the federation’s officials said they could lose their jobs.
Responding to his claim on X, Dada Olusegun, the Special Assistant to the President on Social Media, said Obi was building a victim narrative and politicising national sports teams and institutions. He said the national athletes, including the Flamingos, represent Nigeria, not any specific political party or individual ambition.
Olusegun said protocol guidelines for national teams were designed to protect young athletes from “political exploitation, commercial distractions, and unnecessary media circuses while on official duty.”
He described Obi’s account as an attempt to turn standard security and administrative procedures into a case of political victimisation.
“The constant attempt by the opposition to politicize our national sports teams and institutions is highly distasteful,” he wrote.
“Our national athletes, including the Under-17 girls’ team, represent the entire Federal Republic of Nigeria, not any specific political party or individual ambition. Protocol guidelines around national teams are designed strictly to protect young athletes from political exploitation, commercial distractions, and unnecessary media circuses while on official duty.”
“To spin standard security and administrative protocols into a narrative of political victimisation is a disservice to the unity that sport is meant to foster in our country,” he added.
Obi Barred From Greeting Flamingos
Obi had earlier said he arrived at the airport on Monday for a flight to Enugu when he noticed the Flamingos preparing to board a vehicle after arriving in the country.
He said he asked his protocol officer, Jackie Wayas, to find out whether he could greet the players but was told that NFF officials had objected, warning that they would lose their jobs if he approached the team.
