NFF officials blocked me from welcoming Flamingos — Peter Obi

Peter Obi says Nigeria Football Federation officials stopped him from greeting the U-17 World Cup-winning Flamingos at the Abuja airport, and he calls it a sign of toxic politics.

Nigeria Democratic Congress 2027 presidential candidate Peter Obi has accused Nigeria Football Federation officials of stopping him from greeting the Flamingos at the Abuja airport, The PUNCH reports.

Obi said he saw the Under-17 women’s team, fresh from winning the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco, as he arrived to board a flight to Enugu on Monday.

“I was informed that officials of the Nigerian Football Federation had refused and had requested that I not approach,” he said.

He recalled a similar incident after a World Cup qualifier in Uyo in March 2025: “I was told by the officials that they would lose their jobs if I proceeded.”

Describing the incidents as “toxic politics”, Obi said: “It is deeply troubling to witness the extent of toxic politics into which our nation has descended since 2025.”