NSC slams Peter Obi over Flamingos’ airport incident, demands public apology

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Read History Go to My Account Log Out Enhanced by Google Sports NSC slams Peter Obi over Flamingos’ airport incident, demands public apology The National Sports Commission (NSC) has criticised Peter Obi, the 2027 presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), over

Listen to this article Share The National Sports Commission (NSC) has criticised Peter Obi, the 2027 presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), over his account of an alleged incident involving officials of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and Nigeria’s victorious U-17 women’s national team, the Flamingos, at the Abuja airport.

In a statement, NSC Chairman Shehu Dikko dismissed Peter Obi’s account as misleading, accusing the former Anambra State governor of attempting to turn a national moment of celebration into a political drama. It also demanded an unreserved apology from the former Anambra State governor.

Shehu Dikko, chairman of the NSC, stated the Commission’s position in a press statement in response to Obi’s allegation that NFF officials prevented him from greeting the players because they feared losing their jobs if they allowed him to approach the team.

According to Dikko, NSC and NFF officials who accompanied and received the Flamingos reported that they did not see Obi near the players or around the international terminal where the team arrived.

He said two individuals wearing Peter Obi’s campaign face caps and other branded attire approached officials to request a meeting and photograph session between the politician and the players.

Dikko explained that the officials declined the request because the team had arrived from Morocco at about 5:30 a.m. aboard an Air Maroc flight and the players were tired after their journey and a demanding tournament.

“The officials exercised their judgement in declining the sudden meeting and photograph request at that time, taking account of the players’ welfare and the circumstances of the request and without any prior notice of any arrangement for airport reception for the team.

“Nothing in the account provided by the officials supports the suggestion that their jobs were at risk,” Dikko said.

The NSC chairman also questioned Obi’s account of the incident, noting that the former governor had said he was at the airport to board a flight to Enugu, which would ordinarily depart from the domestic terminal, while the Flamingos arrived through the international terminal.

He maintained that passengers and airport officials freely celebrated the players, taking photographs, dancing and shaking hands with them.

Dikko said the Commission took a strong exception to Obi’s decision to portray the incident as political intimidation without first seeking clarification from the NSC or NFF.

“Turning a request for an unscheduled interaction into a toxic narrative of political victimisation shifts attention from the players’ achievement to an individual political grievance,” he said.

Demanding an apology, Dikko urged Obi to reflect on his actions and subsequent public statements, which he accused of turning the incident into a political issue.

“I urged and advised that His Excellency Mr Peter Obi reflect deeply and offer an unreserved apology to these young girls for souring their moment of glory with his regrettable actions, subsequent statement and media interviews deliberately weaponising a non-issue for political gain,” Dikko said.

Obi had earlier alleged that NFF officials prevented him from greeting the Flamingos when they arrived at the Abuja airport after winning the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco.

In a statement published on his X account on Monday, Obi said he arrived at the airport at 7 a.m. to board a flight to Enugu and saw the team preparing to leave the airport.

He said he asked his protocol officer, Jackie Wayas, to find out whether he could welcome and congratulate the players.

However, he alleged that NFF officials rejected the request, warning that they could lose their jobs if he approached the team.

“I arrived at the airport at 7 a.m. this morning to board my flight to Enugu. There, I saw the Nigeria Under-17 girls’ team, which had just arrived and was preparing to board its vehicle into town.

“With genuine joy and enthusiasm, I asked my Protocol Officer, Jackie Wayas, to find out whether I could greet and welcome the team. I was informed that officials of the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) had refused and had requested that I not approach them because, if I did, they would all lose their jobs,” Obi said.

The NSC, however, maintained that the decision to decline the requested interaction was based on the players’ welfare and the absence of prior arrangements, not political considerations.

Head of Sports at BusinessDay Media, a seasoned Digital Content Producer, and FIFA/CAF Accredited Journalist with over a decade of sports reporting.Has a deep understanding of the Nigerian and global sports landscape and skills in delivering comprehensive and insightful sports content.