Peter Obi Decries Alleged Political Intimidation After Being Prevented From Greeting Nigeria’s U-17 Female Team
Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, Peter Obi, has decried what he described as a growing trend of toxic politics in Nigeria after allegedly being prevented from greeting members of the country’s Under-17 female football team at an airport.
Obi disclosed this in a statement, saying the incident occurred on Monday morning when he arrived at the airport around 7 a.m. to board a flight to Enugu.
According to him, after sighting the team, which had just arrived and was preparing to board its vehicle, he asked his Protocol Officer, Jackie Wayas, to find out if he could greet and welcome the players.
However, he said he was informed that officials of the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) had declined his request, warning that they could lose their jobs if he approached the team.
Obi recalled a similar incident on March 25, 2025, in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, where he said he was prevented from greeting players after a World Cup qualifying match despite being warmly received by the governor at the VIP stand.
He expressed concern over what he described as the increasing deterioration of political relations in the country, arguing that political differences should not prevent Nigerians from showing mutual respect and unity.
Obi called for a Nigeria where hostility, intimidation and discrimination based on political affiliation would have no place.
