Peter Obi Claims NFF Blocked Him from Meeting Flamingos

Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, alleged that officials from the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) obstructed him from welcoming Nigeria’s U-17 women’s football team, the Flamingos, at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja on Monday. Obi arrived at the airport around 7 a.m. to board a flight to Enugu and wished to congratulate the team after their historic 2-1 victory over Japan in the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup final.

Despite instructing his Protocol Officer, Jackie Wayas, to facilitate the meeting, he was informed that NFF officials objected due to fears of job loss. Obi criticized this incident as indicative of the growing political divisions in Nigeria, recalling a similar experience on March 25, 2025, during a World Cup qualifying match in Uyo.

He emphasized the need for unity and respect among Nigerians, regardless of political affiliations, to foster a new Nigeria free from hostility and intimidation.