Apologise now – NSC fires again at Peter Obi over Flamingos’ airport drama

He defined that the officers declined the request as a result of the gamers had arrived early within the morning on an Air Maroc flight at about 5:30 a.m. and have been drained after their journey and a demanding competitors.

Dikko stated the request was sudden and had not been communicated to the Commission or the NFF forward of the crew’s arrival.

He added that the choice was taken with the gamers’ welfare and never their political affiliation.

The NSC chairman additional claimed that Obi had stated he was on the airport to board a flight to Enugu, which might ordinarily depart from the home terminal, whereas the Flamingos arrived by means of the worldwide terminal.

He maintained that passengers and airport officers freely celebrated the gamers, taking pictures, dancing and shaking fingers with them.

Dikko stated the Commission took sturdy exception to Obi’s resolution to painting the incident as political intimidation with out first searching for clarification from the NSC or NFF.

He acknowledged, “Turning a request for an unscheduled interaction into a toxic narrative of political victimisation shifts attention from the players’ achievement to an individual political grievance.”

Demanding an apology, Dikko stated Obi ought to replicate on his actions and subsequent media statements, which he accused of intentionally turning the incident right into a political challenge.

He stated, “I urged and advised that His Excellency Mr. Peter Obi reflect deeply and offer an unreserved apology to these young girls for souring their moment of glory with his regrettable actions, subsequent statement and media interviews deliberately weaponising a non-issue for political gain.”

The NSC chairman additionally confused that the Flamingos are minors and have a devoted safeguarding official accountable for defending their welfare and regulating entry to the gamers.

He warned towards utilizing the younger athletes to counsel political allegiance, including, “Our young athletes must not be used to suggest allegiance to any political party.”

Dikko additional acknowledged Obi’s congratulatory messages throughout the closing phases of the competitors however known as for constant help for the nationwide groups past their moments of victory.

“A message at the height of a team’s success is welcome, but it is not the same as sustained engagement with its preparation, welfare and development,” he acknowledged.

He additionally invited Obi and different Nigerians serious about assembly or internet hosting the Flamingos to contact the NSC or NFF formally to allow acceptable preparations.

Dikko additionally dismissed Obi’s separate allegation that he was prevented from visiting the Super Eagles of their dressing room after Nigeria’s World Cup qualifier towards Zimbabwe in Uyo on March 25, 2025.

He defined that the gamers had declined to obtain guests after the match as a result of they wished to carry a direct assembly amongst themselves.

According to him, no dignitary or official, together with himself, Obi, the governors current and senior NFF officers, visited the dressing room.

He added that entry to the dressing room was ruled by strict FIFA protocols, which required guests to be accredited or cleared by means of the soccer federation.