Former Anambra State Governor and Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has sparked reactions after alleging that officials of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) prevented him from welcoming members of Nigeria’s Under-17 girls’ football team at an airport.
Obi made the revelation in a social media post on Monday, November 9, 2026, expressing disappointment over what he described as an increasingly hostile political environment in the country.
According to the former presidential candidate, the incident occurred around 7 a.m. while he was at the airport preparing to travel to Enugu. Eyes Of Lagos reports,
He said he noticed members of the national Under-17 girls’ team arriving at the airport and getting ready to leave for their next destination.
Moved by the opportunity to congratulate the young footballers, Obi reportedly instructed his protocol officer, Jackie Wayas, to approach the relevant officials and seek permission for him to greet the players.
However, he claimed that the response from the NFF officials was unexpected.
Obi alleged that the officials declined his request and warned that members of their team could lose their jobs if they allowed him to approach the young footballers.
The development, according to him, raised further concerns about the extent to which political differences were influencing ordinary interactions and national institutions.
The NDC presidential candidate also linked the airport experience to an earlier incident he said happened in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, on March 25, 2025.
Obi recalled travelling to the state to watch a World Cup qualifying match, where he was reportedly received by the state governor at the VIP section of the stadium.
He alleged that after the match, when other government representatives had the opportunity to interact with the players, he was once again prevented from joining them.
According to his account, officials reportedly expressed concerns that they could face professional consequences if they allowed him to greet the footballers.
Obi suggested that the two experiences reflected a troubling pattern in which political considerations could take priority over sportsmanship, courtesy and national unity.
Reacting to the development, Peter Obi criticised what he described as the growing culture of toxic politics in Nigeria.
He expressed concern that political divisions appeared to be becoming more pronounced, warning that personal and political differences should never become reasons to intimidate others or deny them basic courtesy.
The former Anambra governor maintained that Nigeria’s future should be built around mutual respect, inclusion and a shared commitment to national development.
He stressed that political affiliation should not determine how citizens are treated, particularly when the country should be united around common national interests.
Obi reiterated his belief in a Nigeria where citizens can interact freely without hostility or discrimination based on their political preferences.
He concluded his message with his familiar declaration: “A New Nigeria is Possible.”
The allegation has brought renewed attention to the relationship between politics, sports administration and national representation in Nigeria.
Nigeria’s national football teams represent the country beyond political affiliations, making interactions involving players and public figures particularly sensitive.
However, the circumstances surrounding the alleged airport incident, including the NFF officials’ account, have yet to be independently established.
The Nigeria Football Federation’s response will be important in providing further clarity on the matter.
For now, Obi’s account has raised questions about whether political differences should ever stand in the way of celebrating and encouraging young Nigerians representing the country on the international stage.