Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), has accused officials of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) of preventing him from greeting members of the country’s Under-17 girls’ team at an airport, alleging that they feared losing their jobs if they allowed him to approach the players.
Obi made the allegation in a post on X on Monday, describing the incident as another example of what he called the growing toxicity of politics in Nigeria.
He said he arrived at the airport at 7 a.m. to board a flight to Enugu when he saw the team, which had just arrived and was preparing to leave the airport.
According to him, he asked his protocol officer, Jackie Wayas, to find out whether he could greet and welcome the players but was informed that NFF officials had refused his request.
Obi said he was told that the officials had warned that they would all lose their jobs if he approached the team.
The former Anambra State governor said the incident was not the first time he had been prevented from interacting with Nigerian footballers.
He recalled that on March 25, 2025, when he visited Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, for a World Cup qualifying match, the governor welcomed him at the VIP stand.
He said that after the match, government officials went to greet the players but he was again prevented from doing so, with officials allegedly telling him they would lose their jobs if he proceeded.
Obi expressed concern over what he described as the deterioration of political relations in the country, saying each passing year appeared to bring further decline.
He said the Nigeria he hoped to see should have no room for hostility, intimidation or discrimination based on political affiliation.
According to him, national unity, mutual respect and shared humanity should take precedence over political differences.
