Former Anambra State governor and NDC presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has alleged that officials of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) prevented him from greeting the national Under-17 girls’ team at the airport on Monday morning.
He described the incident as a deepening culture of toxic politics in the country.
In a post shared on his verified social media handle on Monday, Obi recounted arriving at the airport at about 7 a.m. to board a flight to Enugu, where he met the U-17 girls’ team, which had just arrived and was preparing to board its vehicle into town.
He said he asked his Protocol Officer, Jackie Wayas, to find out whether he could greet and welcome the team, but was informed that NFF officials had refused and requested that he not approach them because, if he did, they would all lose their jobs.
“With genuine joy and enthusiasm, I asked my Protocol Officer, Jackie Wayas, to find out whether I could greet and welcome the team. 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 governor noted that this was not the first time he had been subjected to such treatment. He recalled that on March 25, 2025, he was in Uyo for the World Cup qualifier, where the governor warmly received him and welcomed him at the VIP stand, but after the match, other government officials went to greet the players while 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 deeply troubling, saying it reflected the extent of toxic politics into which the nation had descended 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 stressed that the new Nigeria he aspires to build must have no room for hostility, intimidation, or discrimination, regardless of political affiliation.
“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 added.
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