Stopping me from greeting the victorious Under-17 Flamingos another toxic politics – Obi

By Jude Opara

The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi has claimed that he was prevented from greeting the victorious Nigerian Under-17 World Champions, at the airport on Monday morning.

A statement by Idris Zekeri, the spokesman of the Peter Obi Media Reach (POMR) said Obi was at the airport on his way to Enugu and saw the team that had just arrived, but as he tried to greet them, the officials of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) pleaded with him to stay away from the team, so as to save their jobs.

Zekeri said Obi in his usual manner, promptly respected their position and proceeded on his journey; even in the face of what he described as a “new dimension of toxic politics that Nigeria has developed since 2025”.

“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.

“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. This reflects how deeply Nigeria has been affected.

“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”, the statement added.