The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has alleged that officials of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) prevented him from welcoming Nigeria’s victorious Under-17 women’s football team, the Flamingos, at the airport in Abuja on Monday.

Obi said he was stopped from approaching the players despite expressing his desire to congratulate them following their historic triumph at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup.

In a statement shared on his X account on Monday, the former Anambra State governor said he arrived at the airport around 7 a.m. to board a flight to Enugu when he encountered the team preparing to leave for town.

He explained that he instructed his Protocol Officer, Jackie Wayas, to find out whether he could meet and congratulate the players but was subsequently informed that the NFF officials had objected to the move.

According to Obi, the officials feared they could lose their jobs if they allowed him to interact with the team.

He described the development as another example of what he considered the growing influence of political divisions in the country.

The NDC presidential candidate also recalled a similar incident on March 25, 2025, when he visited Uyo for a World Cup qualifying match.

He said although the governor welcomed him at the VIP stand, other government officials prevented him from greeting the players after the match, claiming they could lose their jobs if he approached them.

“Regrettably, this is not the first time I have been subjected to such treatment,” Obi said.

He expressed concern over what he described as the increasing deterioration of national unity, arguing that political differences should not prevent Nigerians from interacting with one another.

“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,” he added.

The Flamingos arrived at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja on Monday morning following their historic 2-1 victory over Japan in the final of the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup on Saturday.

Goals from Awawu Bashiru and Oluebube Umejiaku secured Nigeria’s maiden title in the competition, making the Flamingos the first African team to win the tournament.

Officials of the NFF and some supporters were among those who received the victorious team upon their arrival in the Federal Capital Territory.

Meanwhile, President Bola Tinubu had congratulated the players following their victory, describing the achievement as a landmark moment for Nigeria and African women’s football.

In a statement issued on November 7, 2026, by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu praised the team’s determination, discipline and teamwork throughout the competition.

The president also commended Bashiru and Umejiaku for scoring the goals that secured Nigeria’s historic victory, while congratulating the coaching crew, the NFF and the National Sports Commission for their contributions to the team’s success.

Tinubu further reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to grassroots sports development and creating opportunities for young Nigerians, particularly girls, to pursue their sporting ambitions.