NFF Officials Stopped Me from Greeting Flamingos, Says Peter Obi
Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has accused officials of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) of preventing him from greeting members of the victorious Flamingos team at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja.
Obi made the allegation in a statement titled “A New Dimension of Toxic Politics in Nigeria” issued on Monday, 9 November 2026.
The Flamingos, Nigeria’s Under-17 women’s national team, returned to the country in the early hours of Monday after winning the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco. They defeated Japan 2-1 in the final on Saturday.
According to Obi, he arrived at the airport around 7 a.m. to board a flight to Enugu when he sighted the team.
He said he asked his Protocol Officer, Jackie Wayas, to find out whether he could greet and welcome 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 stated.
The former Anambra State governor said the incident was not the first time he had been prevented from greeting Nigerian footballers.
He recalled a similar experience on 25 March 2025 during a World Cup qualifier in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
Obi said the state governor had welcomed him at the VIP stand, but after the match he was again stopped from greeting the players while other government officials were allowed to do so.
He was told the officials would lose their jobs if he proceeded.
Obi criticised what he described as the growing influence of political divisions in the country and called for mutual respect regardless of political affiliation when celebrating national achievements.
The Flamingos’ victory marked the first time an African team has won the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup.
By Oyinkansola Shittu.
