The 2027 presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, Peter Obi, has accused officials of the Nigeria Football Federation of preventing him from greeting members of the victorious Flamingos team at the Abuja airport.

Obi made the allegation in a statement on Monday, titled “A New Dimension of Toxic Politics in Nigeria”, saying he arrived at the airport at about 7am to board a flight to Enugu when he encountered the Under-17 women’s team returning from Morocco.

He said his Protocol Officer, Jackie Wayas, was informed that NFF officials had refused his request to approach and congratulate the players.

Obi recalled a similar experience during Nigeria’s 2026 World Cup qualifier against Zimbabwe in Uyo in March 2025, when he was allegedly prevented from greeting the national team.

Describing the incidents as evidence of growing political intolerance, the former Anambra State governor called for a Nigeria where political differences would not lead to hostility or discrimination.

The NFF had yet to publicly respond to the allegation as of the time of filing this report.

The Flamingos returned to Abuja on Monday after defeating Japan 2-1 in Saturday’s final in Morocco to claim their first FIFA Under-17 Women’s World Cup title, becoming the first African nation to win the competition.