Reactions As Onanuga Shares NSC Response To Peter Obi Allegation Of Being Denied Access To Flamingso

The Chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Shehu Dikko, has broken his silence on the controversy surrounding Peter Obi’s claim that he was prevented from meeting Nigeria’s triumphant U-17 women’s team, the Flamingos, upon their arrival at the Abuja airport from the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco.

Dikko’s response was contained in a statement dated November 9, 2026, which was shared by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy. The statement has generated reactions, particularly over the circumstances surrounding Obi’s reported attempt to meet the young footballers at the Abuja airport.

According to Dikko, officials of the NSC and Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) who received the team said they did not see Obi around the players. He explained that two individuals wearing campaign materials associated with Obi approached them to request a meeting and photo session between the former presidential candidate and the team.

The NSC chairman maintained that the request was declined because there was no prior arrangement and the players had just arrived from Morocco at approximately 5:30 a.m. He explained that the girls were exhausted after their international journey and needed adequate rest.

Dikko also questioned Obi’s account of the incident, noting that the former governor had reportedly arrived at the airport to board a flight to Enugu, which would ordinarily require him to use the domestic terminal, while the Flamingos arrived through the international terminal.

He further insisted that members of the public were allowed to celebrate the players, take photographs and interact with them before they departed for their buses.

The NSC chairman accused Obi of unnecessarily turning the incident into a political controversy and urged him to apologise to the young players for allegedly shifting attention away from their achievement.

Dikko also recalled a similar incident involving Obi and the Super Eagles in Uyo in March 2025, explaining that dressing-room access was restricted because the players wanted an immediate meeting after their draw against Zimbabwe.

He advised Nigerians interested in meeting or celebrating the Flamingos to contact the NSC or NFF for proper arrangements, stressing that the players’ welfare and protection must remain a priority.

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He concluded that football should unite Nigerians regardless of political differences rather than become an instrument of partisan division.

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