- As Keyamo Kicks, Accuses Obi Of Mere Hypocrisy
Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate, Peter Obihas accused officials of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) of blocking him from greeting the national under-17 women’s football team at an airport, the Flamingos, slamming the incident as a reflection of Nigeria’s deepening political division.
Alleging that the officials tow the path of being careful over fears of losing their jobs, Obi condemned the alleged airport encounter as a glaring example of what he called the country’s growing culture of worsening “toxic politics”.
He expressed deep concern that political polarization has continued to deteriorate sharply since 2025, creeping into areas meant to unite the nation, such as sports.
The former Anambra State governor said the officials informed him that they had been warned against allowing him to approach the players, threatening that they would all lose their jobs if he greeted the team.
According to the post, he arrived at the airport around 7 a.m. to board a flight to Enugu when he sighted the Flamingos, who had just arrived and were preparing to leave the airport. Subsequently asked his Protocol Officer, Jackie Wayas, to find out if he could greet and welcome the players.
However, he claimed alleged that NFF officials rejected the request and instructed that he should not approach 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,” he wrote.
Obi added that the incident was not the first time he had allegedly been prevented from interacting with members of a Nigerian national team, recalling that on March 25, 2025, when he traveled to Uyo for a World Cup qualifying match, the State governor warmly received him at the VIP stand.
He alleged that after the match, when other government officials went to greet the players, he was prevented from doing the same, adding that the officials again claimed they would lose their jobs if he proceeded to greet the players.
The former governor who described the situation as quite unfortunate, said, “The new Nigeria we aspire to build must have no room for hostility, intimidation, or discrimination, regardless of political affiliation”, insisted further that: “It must be a Nigeria in which unity, mutual respect, and our shared humanity take precedence over political differences..”
Meanwhile, from the hard-fought pitch of Rabat, the Moroccan capital, to a heroes’ welcome in Abuja, the Flamingos’ magical journey has come full circle as their Monday’s arrival in the country marks the beginning of a lifetime of celebration for a squad that defied the odds to edge past Japan in a breathless 2-1 final.
As they step back onto Nigerian soil with FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup gold gleaming around their necks, one truth remains undeniable: the future of Nigerian football has arrived, and it is absolutely brilliant.
Keyamo Condemns Obi’s Rhetoric
Reacting to the post by the NDC presidential flag-bearer, Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, accused him of mere hypocrisy, questioning why he was eager to associate with what he described as a success story of the country and the present administration despite his frequent criticisms of Nigeria.
Keyamo, in a post on his X platform, insinuated that Obi’s intention was merely to seek publicity through photographs with the victorious players of the under-17 women’s national football team.
Keyamo wrote, “Mr Peter Obi, in all your public vituperation, you often say things akin to the fact that ‘Nigeria is finished’. So, why are you now so anxious to associate with a success story of the country or this government? Just for photo ops? You see the hypocrisy?”
