By BONIFACE AKARAH

Former Labour Party presidential candidate, and Anambra State Governor, Peter Obi, has criticized the Federal Government over the reported failure to pay match allowances owed to members of Nigeria’s senior men’s national football team, the Super Eagles.

In a statement posted on X on Wednesday, January 7, Obi described the situation as an embarrassment, questioning how the country continues to experience troubling news on a daily basis.

“At a time when Nigerians need joy and unity, something the Super Eagles have been providing by winning matches and lifting our spirits worldwide, these same players are being denied their basic match allowances,” he said.

Obi also raised concerns about government spending priorities, noting that while large sums have reportedly been written off as debts for government agencies and political allies, basic financial commitments to national team players remain unsettled.

“A country that writes off trillions in debts and squanders money on grandiose, self-serving projects now struggles to pay the match bonuses owed to our players,” he stated.

According to Obi, the failure to honour previously agreed allowances before the tournament hurts Nigeria’s international image and creates unnecessary distractions for the team ahead of a crucial quarter-final fixture.

“The Super Eagles do not deserve this embarrassment or the avoidable distractions,” he added, stressing that Nigeria must learn to fulfill its obligations and respect agreements it has entered into.

Issues surrounding unpaid allowances have frequently surfaced in Nigerian football, often drawing public criticism during major international competitions.