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NDC Presidential candidate Peter Obi alleges that officials of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) stopped him from greeting Nigeria’s Under-17 women’s team at an airport, warning that they could lose their jobs if he approached the players.
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Obi says the incident occurred at about 7 a.m. on Monday as he prepared to board a flight to Enugu, despite his request to his Protocol Officer, Jackie Wayas, to arrange a brief welcome for the team.
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The former Anambra State governor recalls a similar experience in Uyo on March 25, 2025, when he was allegedly prevented from greeting players after a World Cup qualifying match, despite being welcomed by the state governor.
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Describing the incidents as evidence of what he called the growing culture of toxic politics in Nigeria, Obi demands an end to political hostility, intimidation and discrimination, insisting that national unity must transcend party affiliations.
November 09, (THEWILL) – Former Anambra State Governor and presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has accused officials of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) of preventing him from greeting members of Nigeria’s Under-17 women’s football team at an airport, alleging that they were warned they could lose their jobs if they allowed him to approach the players.
Obi, who described the incident as another troubling manifestation of what he called the growing culture of toxic politics in Nigeria, said he was stopped from welcoming the young footballers despite making what he described as a simple request to greet them.
The former Anambra State governor disclosed this in a post on his X account on Monday, November 9, 2026, recounting how he encountered the team at the airport while preparing to board a flight to Enugu.
According to Obi, he arrived at the airport at about 7 a.m. and noticed the national Under-17 girls’ team, which had just arrived and was preparing to board its vehicle for onward movement into town.
He said he was delighted to see the players and immediately asked his Protocol Officer, Jackie Wayas, to find out whether he could approach the team to congratulate and welcome them.
However, he said he was informed that NFF officials had refused the request and directed that he should not be allowed to interact with the players.
“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 said.
The former presidential candidate expressed regret over the development, stressing that it was not an isolated experience, as he had allegedly encountered a similar situation during a visit to Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, in March 2025.
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Recounts Previous Incident at Uyo Match
Obi recalled that on March 25, 2025, he travelled to Uyo for a World Cup qualifying match, where he said the state governor warmly received him and welcomed him at the VIP stand.
However, he alleged that after the match, when other government officials went to greet the players, he was prevented from doing the same.
According to him, officials again warned that they would lose their jobs if he proceeded to interact with the players.
“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,” he said.
Obi did not identify the officials who allegedly issued the instructions or disclose the specific reasons given for preventing him from greeting the players.
The two incidents, as presented by the former governor, formed the basis of his latest criticism of what he considers an increasingly hostile political environment in which ordinary social interactions and national engagements are allegedly being influenced by partisan considerations.
Obi Says Political Climate Has Deteriorated Since 2025
Expressing concern over the development, Obi said Nigeria’s political environment had become increasingly divisive since 2025, with each passing year appearing to bring further deterioration.
“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 stated.
Demands Nigeria Without Political Hostility
Obi’s remarks come against the backdrop of political divisions that have persisted since the 2023 general election, in which he contested the presidency on the platform of the Labour Party against candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Obi, who served as Anambra State governor from 2006 to 2014, has continued to advocate national unity, political tolerance, accountability and inclusive governance.
The former governor called for an end to political hostility, intimidation and discrimination, insisting that political affiliation should not determine how Nigerians are treated or allowed to participate in national life.
He said the country must move towards an environment where mutual respect, shared humanity and national identity take precedence over partisan differences.
“The new Nigeria we aspire to build must have no room for hostility, intimidation, or discrimination, regardless of political affiliation,” Obi said.
He added that the country should be one “in which unity, mutual respect, and our shared humanity take precedence over political differences.”
Obi concluded his message by reiterating his belief that Nigeria could still achieve the national transformation he has consistently advocated.
Felix Ifijeh is a journalist with years of professional reporting experience. Known for his keen news sense, compelling storytelling and commitment to accurate, impactful reporting, he has built a reputation for turning leads into clear, engaging, and well-structured reports that resonate with readers. His work reflects deep newsroom experience and a commitment to accurate, impactful journalism.
