Peter Obi claims NFF officials blocked him from greeting Flamingos players
The Nigeria Democratic Congress presidential candidate alleged that football federation staff feared job loss if they allowed him to interact with the national team.
Peter Obi, the presidential candidate for the Nigeria Democratic Congress, stated that Nigeria Football Federation representatives stopped him from welcoming the Flamingos at an airport. The incident allegedly occurred on Monday morning while the politician was preparing for a flight to Enugu.
According to Obi, he directed his protocol officer, Jackie Wayas, to inquire if he could congratulate the U-17 women’s team. He claimed the federation officials declined the request, citing concerns that they would face termination if they permitted the interaction.
The former governor expressed his frustration regarding the incident on social media, describing it as evidence of an increasingly hostile political environment. He stated, "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 noted that he encountered a similar situation on March 25, 2025, during a World Cup qualifying match in Uyo. He recalled that although the state governor greeted him at the VIP area, he was later barred from joining other officials to meet the players.
Reflecting on these events, the candidate argued that national unity should remain separate from political partisanship. He emphasized that the country requires a culture where mutual respect and shared humanity are prioritized over political differences.
Regarding his experience in Uyo, he remarked, "Regrettably, this is not the first time I have been subjected to such treatment."
SOURCE: Osun Defender
