The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has decried what he described as the growing culture of political intolerance in Nigeria, alleging that officials of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) prevented him from greeting the country's Under-17 women's football team at an airport for fear of losing their jobs.
Obi said the incident, which occurred on Monday morning as he prepared to board a flight to Enugu, was another indication of how deeply partisan politics had permeated national institutions and everyday interactions.
In a statement, the former Anambra State governor said he arrived at the airport at about 7 a.m. and encountered the Under-17 girls' team, which had just arrived and was preparing to leave the airport.
Moved by excitement at seeing the young footballers, Obi said he asked his Protocol Officer, Jackie Wayas, to find out if he could approach and welcome the team.
He, however, alleged that NFF officials rejected the request, insisting that they would lose their jobs if he was allowed to interact with the players.
Obi said the experience reminded him of a similar incident on March 25, 2025, when he attended Nigeria's World Cup qualifying match in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
According to him, the state governor had warmly received him at the VIP stand, but following the match, he was prevented from greeting the players when other government officials went to interact with them.
He said the officials again warned that they risked losing their jobs if he proceeded to approach the players.
The NDC presidential candidate expressed concern that political differences were increasingly being weaponised to exclude individuals from ordinary national activities, describing the trend as evidence of the country's worsening political climate.
“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,” he said.
Obi maintained that political affiliation should not determine how Nigerians relate with one another, stressing that the country's development would depend on its ability to overcome hostility, intimidation and discrimination.
“The new Nigeria we aspire to build must have no room for hostility, intimidation, or discrimination, regardless of political affiliation. It must be a Nigeria in which unity, mutual respect, and our shared humanity take precedence over political differences,” he added.
He reiterated his belief in the possibility of building a better country, declaring that “a new Nigeria is possible.”
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