WorldStage– The National Sports Commission (NSC) has demanded a public apology from Obi for involving the underage athletes in a political dispute.
The Commission also countered claims made by Peter Obi, the 2027 presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), that he was deliberately prevented from celebrating with the Flamingos, Nigeria’s U-17 women’s football team.
The controversy erupted following the team’s arrival at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja after their historic FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup triumph against Japan in Morocco.
Obi alleged on his official X handle that Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) officials blocked him from greeting the players.
He claimed his protocol team was warned that officials “would lose their jobs” if he was allowed near the athletes, describing the incident as a sign of toxic politics.
Futility and partisan narrative were rejected in a swift response by NSC Chairman Shehu Dikko.
In an official statement, Dikko revealed that NSC and NFF officials on the ground never saw Obi near or around the players.
According to the commission, Obi did not personally approach the delegation. Instead, two individuals wearing Obi campaign face caps and attire made a sudden, unscheduled request for a meeting and photographs.
Dikko explained that the officials exercised their judgment to decline the request out of concern for the minors’ welfare, as the players had just landed at 5:30 a.m. on an Air Maroc flight and were extremely exhausted.
The NSC also pointed out a logistical discrepancy: Obi was at the domestic terminal preparing to board a flight to Enugu, whereas the Flamingos arrived through the international wing.
The NSC emphasized that widespread footage from the early morning arrival showed diverse citizens freely interacting with the team, labeling Obi’s narrative an attempt to manufacture political victimisation.
NSC Director-General Bukola Olopade echoed these remarks, while the presidency urged the public to keep sports free from partisan exploitation.
