Peter Obi decries political intolerance after Airport snub by NFF officials

Former Anambra State Governor and Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has criticised what he described as the growing culture of toxic politics in Nigeria after allegedly being prevented from greeting members of the country’s Under-17 women’s football team at an airport.

Obi, in a statement titled A New Dimension of Toxic Politics in Nigeria, said the incident occurred on Monday morning when he arrived at the airport around 7 a.m. to board a flight to Enugu.

He explained that he spotted the U-17 women’s team, which had just arrived and was preparing to board a vehicle into town.

According to him, he asked his Protocol Officer, Jackie Wayas, to find out whether he could approach the players to congratulate and welcome them.

However, he alleged that his request was turned down following instructions from officials of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), who reportedly warned that they could lose their jobs if they allowed him to interact with the team.

The former governor described the incident as disturbing, saying it reflected the increasing influence of political divisions in the country’s public institutions.

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He also recalled a similar experience on March 25, 2025, when he travelled to Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, to watch a World Cup qualifying match.

Obi said he was warmly received by the state governor and welcomed at the VIP stand but was subsequently prevented from greeting the players after the match.

He alleged that government officials who went to interact with the team were also unwilling to allow him approach the players, reportedly expressing fears of losing their jobs.

Expressing concern over what he described as the deterioration of political relationships in Nigeria since 2025, Obi said political differences were increasingly undermining national unity and ordinary human interactions.

“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,” he said.

He lamented that political considerations appeared to be taking precedence over mutual respect, national cohesion and shared humanity.

Obi stressed that Nigeria should be a country where citizens are not subjected to hostility, intimidation or discrimination because of their political affiliations.

He maintained that sporting events and national teams should serve as platforms for bringing Nigerians together rather than becoming instruments of political division.

The former governor called for a society where mutual respect, unity and shared national interests take precedence over partisan considerations.

As of the time of the statement, there was no response from the NFF to Obi’s allegations

Former Anambra State Governor and Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has criticised what he described as the growing culture of toxic politics in Nigeria after allegedly being prevented from greeting members of the country’s Under-17 women’s football team at an airport.

Obi, in a statement titled A New Dimension of Toxic Politics in Nigeria, said the incident occurred on Monday morning when he arrived at the airport around 7 a.m. to board a flight to Enugu.

He explained that he spotted the U-17 women’s team, which had just arrived and was preparing to board a vehicle into town.

According to him, he asked his Protocol Officer, Jackie Wayas, to find out whether he could approach the players to congratulate and welcome them.

However, he alleged that his request was turned down following instructions from officials of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), who reportedly warned that they could lose their jobs if they allowed him to interact with the team.

The former governor described the incident as disturbing, saying it reflected the increasing influence of political divisions in the country’s public institutions.

He also recalled a similar experience on March 25, 2025, when he travelled to Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, to watch a World Cup qualifying match.

Obi said he was warmly received by the state governor and welcomed at the VIP stand but was subsequently prevented from greeting the players after the match.

He alleged that government officials who went to interact with the team were also unwilling to allow him approach the players, reportedly expressing fears of losing their jobs.

Expressing concern over what he described as the deterioration of political relationships in Nigeria since 2025, Obi said political differences were increasingly undermining national unity and ordinary human interactions.

“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,” he said.

He lamented that political considerations appeared to be taking precedence over mutual respect, national cohesion and shared humanity.

Obi stressed that Nigeria should be a country where citizens are not subjected to hostility, intimidation or discrimination because of their political affiliations.

He maintained that sporting events and national teams should serve as platforms for bringing Nigerians together rather than becoming instruments of political division.

The former governor called for a society where mutual respect, unity and shared national interests take precedence over partisan considerations.

As of the time of the statement, there was no response from the NFF to Obi’s allegations