Peter Obi Claims NFF Blocked Him From Greeting U-17 Team

Peter Obi, the former Governor of Anambra State and presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), alleged that officials from the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) prevented him from greeting members of Nigeria's Under-17 women's football team at an airport. He stated that NFF officials warned the players they could lose their jobs if they allowed him to approach them.

Obi recounted the incident in a post on his X account on November 9, 2026, explaining that he arrived at the airport around 7 a.m. and saw the team preparing to leave. He requested his Protocol Officer, Jackie Wayas, to check if he could greet the players, but was informed of the NFF's refusal.

Obi expressed disappointment over this incident, describing it as part of a troubling trend of toxic politics in Nigeria, and noted a similar experience in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, in March 2025.