‘Meeting Them In What Capacity?’ “No, He has Rights To Meet Them” — Nigerians Divided Over Obi’s Allegation of Being Blocked From Flamingos

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ABUJA — It was imagined to be a morning of pure pleasure. Nigeria’s Under-17 ladies, the Flamingos, had simply landed in Abuja as world champions, recent from conquering the FIFA Under-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco. But as an alternative of a hero’s welcome, their arrival was a political drama that has now cut up Nigerians proper down the center.

Former Anambra State Governor and presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has accused officers of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) of stopping him from assembly the triumphant staff on the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, within the early hours of Monday.

Obi stated he arrived on the airport round 7 a.m. to board a flight to Enugu when he observed the staff getting ready to depart. “With genuine joy and enthusiasm, I asked my Protocol Officer, Jackie Wayas, to find out whether I could greet and welcome the team,” he stated.

What occurred subsequent, he stated, left him shocked. “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.”

The former Anambra governor stated the incident was not the primary time he had been prevented from interacting with Nigerian footballers, recalling an analogous expertise throughout the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier in Uyo on March 25, 2025. “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,” he stated.

Obi described the event as an indication of worsening political intolerance, saying: “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.”

But not each Nigerian is shopping for his story. Critics say Obi, as a distinguished opposition determine, ought to have identified higher than to attempt to share the highlight. Chris Owocho wrote: “Obi should know better that he’s a prominent opposition figure who would naturally not be allowed to take the shine off the incumbent. He should have quietly proceeded on his Enugu trip rather than taking the issue to the political playground.”

Others questioned his motive instantly. Tony Enahoro requested: “As Mr President?, if they didn’t win, will you go to the airport?” Martin Kpabari went additional: “If they had lost, would Obi have rushed to greet them? No. Obi would rather have issued a statement saying they lost because of Tinubu’s bad luck and lack of support. Why rush to take pictures with them, post on social media… to gain some political mileage from it, when the girls have not been officially welcomed back by the appropriate authorities?”

Some even praised the officers for stopping him. Immanuel Thobhy added bluntly: “The bouncers did a good job.” For this camp, the airport was not the place for politics, and the Flamingos deserved an official welcome, not a marketing campaign photograph alternative.

On the opposite aspect, supporters say Obi was merely a proud Nigerian desirous to rejoice Nigerian ladies. Chinedu Obasi wrote: “I have read many comments on this issue and I am not surprised at all with the way people are lashing out at Mr. Peter Obi because he is Igbo. The gentleman is a Nigerian and he has every fundamental right to greet and meet the winning Flamingos.”

Obi himself has referred to as for an finish to political bitterness, insisting that political variations shouldn’t stop Nigerians from celebrating the nation’s sporting achievements. “The new Nigeria we aspire to build must have no room for hostility, intimidation, or discrimination, regardless of political affiliation,” he stated. “It must be a Nigeria in which unity, mutual respect, and our shared humanity take precedence over political differences.”

As on the time of submitting this report, the NFF had not issued a response to Obi’s allegations, leaving the nation asking a painful query: when did greeting our personal world champions develop into a political crime — and who decides who’s Nigerian sufficient to rejoice them?

NOP NIGERIA