NSC Accuses Peter Obi of Politicising Flamingos’ World Cup Victory, Demands Apology

By Emmanuel Kwada The National Sports Commission (NSC) has accused former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, of politicising the reception of Nigeria’s victorious U-17 women’s national team, the Flamingos, at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.

The Commission also urged Obi to apologise to the young players, accusing him of turning what it described as an unscheduled request for photographs into a narrative of political exclusion and victimisation. The NSC Chairman, Shehu Dikko, made the position known in a statement issued on Sunday, November 9, 2026, in response to Obi’s account of an alleged attempt to prevent him from meeting the players following their return from Morocco as FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup champions. According to Dikko, officials of the NSC and Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) who accompanied and received the team said they did not see Obi around the players at the airport. He explained that two individuals wearing Peter Obi campaign face caps and other campaign-related clothing approached the officials and requested that the former presidential candidate meet and take photographs with the players. Dikko said the officials declined the request because it was unexpected, had not been formally arranged and could have involved campaign materials. He added that the Flamingos had arrived on an Air Maroc flight at about 5:30 a.m. and were tired after their journey and demanding World Cup campaign. The NSC chairman maintained that the decision was taken in consideration of the players’ welfare and not for political reasons. He also dismissed suggestions that officials faced threats to their jobs over the incident. Dikko further questioned Obi’s account of the airport encounter, noting that the former presidential candidate had said he was at the airport to board a flight to Enugu, which would ordinarily require him to use the domestic terminal. The Flamingos, however, arrived through the international terminal, where Nigerians and other airport users reportedly welcomed and celebrated the team. He said passengers and members of the public were allowed to take photographs, dance and shake hands with the players as they made their way to their buses. According to him, media organisations covering the team’s arrival did not capture Obi around the players or in the vicinity of the international terminal. The NSC chairman expressed disappointment that Obi did not first seek clarification from the Commission or the NFF before making the allegation public. He said the controversy had shifted attention away from the players’ historic achievement and placed them at the centre of unnecessary political arguments. Dikko consequently called on Obi to reflect on his actions and offer an unreserved apology to the young footballers. He stressed that the Flamingos are minors and have a designated safeguarding official within their technical crew responsible for protecting their welfare, dignity and interests. He explained that access to the players, including photograph sessions and other engagements, must be properly managed to comply with safeguarding requirements and prevent young athletes from being associated with political parties. The NSC chairman also reminded Nigerians that the team’s success was the product of more than seven months of preparation, training, World Cup qualifying matches, the WAFU tournament and the competition in Morocco. He acknowledged Obi’s congratulatory messages during the closing stages of the tournament but argued that national teams deserved consistent support beyond moments of victory. Dikko urged the former presidential candidate and other Nigerians interested in meeting or hosting the players to submit formal requests through the NSC or NFF to enable appropriate arrangements. He cited the example of a Nigerian businessman who sponsored a delegation to Morocco to support the team during the final and subsequently donated $50,000 to the players on the pitch without seeking media attention or political recognition. The statement also addressed Obi’s claim that he was previously prevented from visiting Super Eagles players in their dressing room after Nigeria’s World Cup qualifier against Zimbabwe in Uyo on March 25, 2025. Dikko, who said he attended the match alongside Obi and several state governors, including those of Lagos, Bayelsa and Akwa Ibom, described the allegation as inaccurate. He explained that following the disappointing result, the Super Eagles players requested privacy to hold an internal meeting and assess their performance. According to him, no dignitary or official, including governors, NFF officials or himself, was allowed to visit the dressing room. He added that the match was governed by FIFA protocols, with designated security officials responsible for controlling access to restricted areas, including players’ dressing rooms. Dikko said unauthorised access to such areas could expose the NFF to sanctions, including financial penalties or restrictions on the stadium’s hosting rights. He maintained that Obi was not singled out for any form of discriminatory treatment during the incident. The NSC chairman concluded that football remained a national asset capable of bringing Nigerians together across ethnic, religious and political differences. He said the Flamingos’ World Cup triumph should serve as a source of national pride and unity rather than become another subject of partisan disagreement. “The Flamingos have earned the country’s admiration, and their World Cup victory should strengthen our unity. It must not become another platform for partisan division,” Dikko said. 📰 Get Latest News Updates Join our Telegram group and receive breaking and trending news updates directly on your phone.

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