Peter Obi Accuses NFF Officials of Preventing Him From Greeting U-17 Girls’ Team
Presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has accused officials of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) of preventing him from greeting members of Nigeria’s Under-17 women’s football team at an airport, alleging that the officials feared losing their jobs if they allowed him to approach the players.
Obi made the allegation in a statement on Sunday while expressing concern over what he described as a growing culture of toxic politics in Nigeria.
According to the former Anambra State governor, he arrived at the airport at about 7 a.m. to board a flight to Enugu when he encountered the national Under-17 women’s team, which had just arrived and was preparing to leave the airport.
Obi said he asked his Protocol Officer, Jackie Wayas, to find out whether he could greet and welcome the young footballers.
However, he claimed that officials of the NFF declined the request, allegedly warning that they would lose their jobs if he was allowed to interact with the players.
The former Labour Party presidential candidate described the incident as another instance of what he considered politically motivated hostility, recalling a similar experience during Nigeria’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign.
He said that on March 25, 2025, when he visited Uyo for a World Cup qualifying match, he was warmly received by the Akwa Ibom State Governor at the VIP stand.
Obi, however, alleged that after the match, he was prevented from greeting the players when other government officials went to interact with them.
He claimed that officials again warned that they would lose their jobs if he proceeded to meet the players.
Expressing disappointment over the incidents, Obi said Nigeria had witnessed a worrying deterioration in its political culture since 2025, with political differences increasingly influencing interactions that should ordinarily promote national unity.
He argued that sporting activities, particularly those involving national teams, should provide opportunities for Nigerians across political divides to celebrate their common identity rather than become victims of political rivalry.
Obi called for a Nigeria where hostility, intimidation and discrimination would have no place, regardless of political affiliation.
He maintained that mutual respect, national unity and shared humanity should take precedence over political differences.
The allegations have raised questions about the relationship between politics and national sporting institutions, particularly the extent to which political considerations should influence access to national teams and their activities.
As of press time, officials of the NFF were not immediately available for comment on Obi’s allegations.