NFF Officials Block Obi From Greeting U-17 Flamingos At Abuja Airport

By Ayodele Oni

This is a new dimension of toxic politics in Nigeria – Obi

Officials of the Nigeria Football Federation, (NFF), officials on Sunday, November 8, 2026, prevented the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, from greeting the victorious U-17 Flamingos at the airport on Sunday morning.

According to a statement from his media office (POMR), Obi was at the airport en route to Enugu when he saw the team which had just arrived from Morocco after winning the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup.

As he moved to greet them, officials of the NFF pleaded that he should not approach the players for fear of losing their jobs.

Obi described the incident as “A NEW DIMENSION OF TOXIC POLITICS IN NIGERIA.”

The statement signed by Idris Zekr Jnr on Monday, quoted Obi as saying: “I arrived at the airport at 7 a.m. this morning to board my flight to Enugu. There, I saw the Nigeria Under-17 girls’ team, which had just arrived and was preparing to board its vehicle into town.

“With genuine joy and enthusiasm, I asked my protocol officer, Jackie Wayas, to find out whether I could greet and welcome the team. 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 said it was not the first time he had suffered such treatment.

“Regrettably, this is not the first time I have been subjected to such treatment. On March 25, 2025, I was in Uyo for the World Cup qualifier.

“The governor warmly received me and welcomed me at the VIP stand. Following the match, other government officials went to greet the players, but I was again prevented from doing so. I was told by the officials that they would lose their jobs if I proceeded.

“It is deeply troubling to witness the extent of toxic politics into which our nation has descended since 2025. Each year appears to bring further deterioration.”

He added that the new Nigeria he envisions must have no room for hostility and discrimination.

“The new Nigeria we aspire to build must have no room for hostility, intimidation, or discrimination, regardless of political affiliation. It must be a Nigeria in which unity, mutual respect, and our shared humanity take precedence over political differences. A new Nigeria is possible.”