By Tony Okafor, Awka
The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Mr Peter Obi, has accused officials of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) of preventing him from greeting members of the national Under-17 women’s team at an airport.
He alleged that the NFF officials told him they would lose their jobs if they allowed him to approach the players.
Obi, who disclosed this in a statement titled, ‘A New Dimension of Toxic Politics in Nigeria’, said the incident occurred on Monday morning when he arrived at the airport at about 7 a.m. to board a flight to Enugu.
According to him, he spotted the Under-17 girls’ team, which had just arrived, and expressed a desire to welcome and congratulate the players on their achievement.
He said he subsequently asked his Protocol Officer, Jackie Wayas, to find out whether he could greet the team but was informed that NFF officials had objected to the move.
“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 stated.
The former Anambra State governor said the experience was not an isolated incident, recalling a similar encounter on March 25, 2025, when he attended a World Cup qualifying match in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
He said that although the governor had warmly received him at the VIP stand, he was subsequently prevented from greeting the players after the match, with officials allegedly giving the same reason that they would lose their jobs if he approached them.
Obi expressed concern over what he described as the increasing deterioration of Nigeria’s political environment, arguing that political differences should not translate into hostility, intimidation or discrimination.
“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,” he said.
He called for a Nigeria where political affiliations would not determine how citizens relate with one another, insisting that unity, mutual respect and shared humanity should take precedence over political differences.
“The new Nigeria we aspire to build must have no room for hostility, intimidation, or discrimination, regardless of political affiliation,” he added.
