By Goodness Ndukuba, Awka
Mr. Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Party (NDC), has recounted how he was blocked by officials of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) from exchanging pleasantries with the U-17 girls’ team who on Saturday were crowned champions of the world after winning the FIFA world cup.
The former governor of Anambra State in a statement tittled, “A NEW DIMENSION OF TOXIC POLITICS IN NIGERIA”, said he arrived at the airport at 7am this morning to board his flight to Enugu.
According to him, he saw the Nigeria U-17 girls’ team, which had just arrived and was preparing to board its vehicle into town.
Obi said with genuine joy and enthusiasm, he directed his protocol officer, Jackie Wayas, to find out whether he could greet and welcome the team.
But unfortunately, he was informed that officials of the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) had refused and had requested that he will not approach them because, if he did, they would all lose their jobs.
Obi in the statement further lamented that this is not the first time he has been subjected to such treatment.
He recounted that on March 25, 2025, he was in Uyo for the World Cup qualifier. The governor warmly received and welcomed him at the VIP stand. After the match, other government officials went to greet the players, but he was again stopped from doing so. He was told by the officials that they would lose their jobs if he had proceeded.
Obi, however, stated that it is deeply troubling to witness the extent of toxic politics into which Nigeria has descended since 2025.
He said each year appears to bring further deterioration, adding that this reflects how deeply Nigeria has been affected.
The statement reads: “I arrived at the airport at 7 a.m. this morning to board my flight to Enugu. There, I saw the Nigeria U-17 girls’ team, which had just arrived and was preparing to board its vehicle into town. NigeriaTravel Guides
“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.
“Regrettably, this is not the first time I have been subjected to such treatment. On March 25, 2025, I was in Uyo for the World Cup qualifier. The governor warmly received me and welcomed me at the VIP stand.
“Following the match, other government officials went to greet the players, but I was again prevented from doing so. I was told by the officials that they would lose their jobs if I proceeded.
“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. NigeriaTravel Guides
“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.
“A new Nigeria is POssible.”
