By BONIFACE AKARAH

Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), said he was prevented from greeting Nigeria’s Under-17 women’s football team, the Flamingos, at an airport on Monday.

Obi made the allegation in a Facebook post shortly after arriving at the airport to board a flight to Enugu, saying officials of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) stopped him from approaching the team.

According to Obi, he asked his Protocol Officer, Jackie Wayas, to find out whether he could greet and welcome the players after he saw the team at the airport following its arrival.

He said he was subsequently informed that NFF officials had instructed that he should not approach the team, allegedly warning that they would lose their jobs if he did.

“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 wrote.

The former Anambra State governor said the incident was not the first time he had allegedly been prevented from greeting members of a Nigerian football team.

He recalled that on March 25, 2025, he was in Uyo for a World Cup qualifier and was warmly received by the governor at the VIP stand.

Obi said that after the match, other government officials went to greet the players, but he was again prevented from doing so.

“I was told by the officials that they would lose their jobs if I proceeded,” he said.

Obi described the development as evidence of what he called a “new dimension of toxic politics” in Nigeria, which he said had worsened since 2025.

“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 said.

He called for a Nigeria where political differences would not lead to hostility, intimidation or discrimination.

“The new Nigeria we aspire to build must have no room for hostility, intimidation, or discrimination, regardless of political affiliation. It must be a Nigeria in which unity, mutual respect, and our shared humanity take precedence over political differences,” Obi said.

He ended the post by reiterating his belief that a better Nigeria was possible.

“A new Nigeria is POssible,” he wrote.