Stop Turning Flamingos’ Victory Into Political Victimisation – NSC Tackles Peter Obi

The National Sports Commission, NSC, has accused the
presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, Peter Obi, of
politicising the reception of Nigeria’s U-17 ladies’s nationwide staff, the
Flamingos, following their return from the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in
Morocco.

 

The Chairman of the NSC, Shehu Dikko, additionally demanded an
unreserved apology from the previous Anambra State governor, accusing him of
turning the staff’s second of glory right into a political controversy.

Dikko made the demand in an announcement issued on Monday,
November 9 2026, titled ‘NSC Responds to Peter Obi: Flamingos’ World Cup
Victory Must Not Be Politicised.’

Recall that Obi had alleged that officers of the Nigeria
Football Federation, NFF, prevented him from greeting members of the Flamingos
after they arrived on the Abuja airport after profitable the event.

However, Dikko dismissed the allegation, saying officers
who accompanied and acquired the staff reported that they didn’t see Obi close to
the gamers on the airport.

According to him, two people carrying Peter Obi marketing campaign
face caps and different marketing campaign apparel approached the officers to request a
assembly and photograph session between the politician and the gamers.

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 had 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 staff’s arrival.

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

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

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

Dikko stated the Commission took robust exception to Obi’s
determination to painting the incident as political intimidation with out first
in search of clarification from the NSC or NFF.

He said, “Turning a request for an unscheduled interplay
right into a poisonous narrative of political victimisation shifts consideration from the
gamers’ achievement to a person 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 concern.

He stated, “I urged and suggested that His Excellency Mr. Peter
Obi replicate deeply and provide an unreserved apology to those younger women for
souring their second of glory together with his regrettable actions, subsequent
assertion and media interviews intentionally weaponising a non-issue for
political achieve.”

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

He warned in opposition to utilizing the younger athletes to counsel
political allegiance, including, “Our younger athletes should not be used to counsel
allegiance to any political social gathering.”

Dikko additional acknowledged Obi’s congratulatory messages
in the course of the closing levels of the competitors however referred to as for constant help
for the nationwide groups past their moments of victory.

“A message on the top of a staff’s success is welcome, however
it isn’t the identical as sustained engagement with its preparation, welfare and
growth,” he said.

He additionally invited Obi and different Nigerians interested by
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 in opposition to 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 needed 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
via the soccer federation.

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