The Presidency has criticised Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), over his allegation that officials of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) prevented him from greeting members of the victorious Flamingos at an airport in Abuja.
Dada Olusegun, Special Assistant to President Bola Tinubu on Social Media, accused opposition politicians of attempting to drag national sports teams and institutions into partisan politics.
Olusegun, in a post on X on Monday, described the alleged politicisation of national sports teams as distasteful, insisting that the country's athletes represented Nigeria as a whole and not any political party or individual.
Obi had alleged that he was prevented from approaching the Under-17 women's national team after they returned from the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup in Morocco, where they emerged champions.
The former Anambra State governor said he arrived at the airport around 7am on Monday to board a flight to Enugu when he sighted the players preparing to leave the airport.
According to him, he instructed his protocol officer, Jackie Wayas, to find out whether he could welcome the team, but was subsequently informed that NFF officials had objected to his approach.
He further claimed that the officials said they risked losing their jobs if they allowed him to greet the players.
However, reacting to the allegation, Olusegun said protocols governing national teams were intended to shield young athletes from political exploitation, commercial distractions and unnecessary media attention while carrying out official duties.
“The constant attempt by the opposition to politicise our national sports teams and institutions is highly distasteful,” he wrote.
“Our national athletes, including the Under-17 girls’ team, represent the entire Federal Republic of Nigeria, not any specific political party or individual ambition.
“Protocol guidelines around national teams are designed strictly to protect young athletes from political exploitation, commercial distractions, and unnecessary media circuses while on official duty.”
The presidential aide also took a direct swipe at Obi, accusing him of relying on unverified accounts to construct what he described as a victimhood narrative.
“Mr Peter Obi, I hope you will reflect on your manipulative way of life and stop weaponising unverified hearsay to build a victim narrative. Let our athletes focus on winning for Nigeria, free from political theatre,” Olusegun added.
Obi had expressed disappointment over the incident, describing it as another manifestation of what he called the growing culture of toxic politics in the country.
He also recalled a similar experience on March 25, 2025, when he travelled to Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, for a World Cup qualifying match and was allegedly prevented from greeting members of Nigeria's national team after the encounter.
The NDC presidential candidate argued that national institutions and sporting events should provide opportunities for unity rather than become platforms for political divisions.
He called for greater mutual respect among Nigerians, irrespective of their political affiliations.
The Flamingos returned to Abuja on Monday after defeating Japan 2-1 in the final of the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup in Rabat, Morocco, to claim Nigeria's first-ever title in the competition.
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