The controversy surrounding Nigeria’s victorious Under-17 women’s football team, the Flamingos, has taken a political turn following allegations by Peter Obi that NFF officials prevented him from greeting the players upon their return from Morocco. The Presidency has dismissed the claim, while Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo has accused the former Anambra State governor of hypocrisy.
A political controversy has erupted following the return of Nigeria’s victorious Under-17 women’s national football team, the Flamingos, from Morocco, after former Anambra State Governor and presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, alleged that officials of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) prevented him from welcoming the players at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja.
The allegation, which has attracted reactions from the Presidency and other political figures, centres on an encounter Obi said occurred at the airport as he prepared to travel to Enugu.
In a statement issued by the Peter Obi Media Office (POMO) and signed by its spokesperson, Idris Zekeri, the former governor reportedly arrived at the airport around 7:00 a.m. and noticed the Flamingos, who had just returned from Morocco following their triumph at the international tournament.
According to the statement, Obi expressed a desire to congratulate and welcome the young players but instructed his protocol officer, Jackie Wayas, to first establish whether he could approach the team.
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The media office claimed that the NFF officials on ground declined the request, allegedly explaining that they could lose their jobs if they allowed Obi to greet the players.
Obi reportedly respected the officials’ position and decided not to proceed with the greeting.
Reacting to the development, the former governor described the incident as another indication of what he considers an increasingly toxic political atmosphere in Nigeria.
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In a statement attributed to him, Obi expressed concern that political differences were beginning to affect even moments that should ordinarily promote national unity and celebration.
He also recalled a similar experience on March 25, 2025, during a World Cup qualifying match in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State. He claimed that although the state governor warmly received him at the VIP stand, he was subsequently prevented from greeting the players after the match over alleged concerns that officials could lose their jobs.
Obi maintained that national sporting achievements should transcend political affiliations, insisting that Nigeria needs an environment where mutual respect, unity and shared national identity take priority over partisan interests.
He reiterated his belief that a new Nigeria is possible, stressing that hostility, intimidation and discrimination should have no place in the country’s democratic culture.
Presidency Accuses Obi of Politicizing National Sports
The Presidency has, however, rejected Obi’s account, accusing the opposition politician of attempting to turn a national sporting achievement into a political controversy.
In a statement shared by the Special Assistant to the President on Social Media, Dada Olusegun, the Presidency maintained that national sports teams represent the entire country and should not be used to advance the political interests of individuals or political parties.
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Olusegun stated that the Flamingos represent the Federal Republic of Nigeria, rather than any particular political figure or political organization.
He explained that established protocol guidelines for national teams are intended to protect young athletes from political exploitation, commercial distractions and unnecessary media attention while carrying out official duties.
The presidential aide further described Obi’s account as an attempt to portray standard security and administrative procedures as political victimization.
According to him, turning routine protocols into allegations of political persecution could undermine the unity that sporting activities are expected to promote.
He also questioned the basis of Obi’s claims, accusing the former governor of relying on unverified information to construct a narrative of victimization.
The Presidency consequently urged political actors to allow the young athletes to enjoy their achievements and concentrate on representing Nigeria.
Bashir Ahmad Questions Obi’s Interpretation of the Incident
Former presidential aide and National Director of Media Monitoring and Rapid Response of the City Boy Movement, Bashir Ahmad, also criticized Obi’s interpretation of the airport encounter.
Ahmad argued that being unable to greet the players did not automatically amount to political persecution, suggesting that security, protocol and administrative considerations might have influenced the decision.
He urged the former Anambra governor to exercise caution and prioritise facts and responsibility when commenting on matters of national interest.
According to Ahmad, Nigeria’s collective interest should remain above individual political ambitions and party affiliations.
He further maintained that building a new Nigeria should not involve what he described as perpetual political antagonism.
Keyamo Accuses Peter Obi of Hypocrisy
Adding to the growing reactions, Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, SAN, accused Peter Obi of hypocrisy over his reported attempt to welcome the victorious Flamingos.
In a post on his X account, Keyamo questioned why Obi was eager to associate himself with the team’s achievement, which he described as a success story for Nigeria and the present administration, despite his frequent criticisms of the country’s leadership and direction.
The minister suggested that Obi’s interest in greeting the players might have been motivated by the desire to take photographs with the victorious team for publicity purposes.
Keyamo wrote:
“Mr Peter Obi, in all your public vituperations, you often say things akin to the fact that ‘Nigeria is finished’. So, why are you now so anxious to associate with a success story of the country or this government? Just for photo ops? You see the hypocrisy?”
His comments have further intensified the political dimension of the controversy, with the incident generating debate about the relationship between politics, national institutions and sporting achievements.
Flamingos’ Historic Achievement
The controversy comes against the backdrop of a significant achievement by Nigeria’s young female footballers.
According to the account, the Flamingos defeated Japan 2-1 in the final of the tournament in Morocco, securing the championship trophy before returning to Nigeria to a wave of national attention.
The victory further reinforced Nigeria’s reputation as a major force in women’s youth football, with the country maintaining its historic position as the first African nation to win the FIFA Under-17 Women’s World Cup.
While the political disagreement continues to attract attention, the team’s achievement remains a moment of national pride.
The incident has also raised broader questions about the application of official protocols, the independence of sporting institutions and the need to keep political differences away from national sporting celebrations.
For many observers, the bigger question is whether moments of national triumph can be allowed to unite Nigerians regardless of their political affiliations.
