NSC accuses Peter Obi of politicising Flamingos’ World Cup victory, demands apology
The National Sports Commission (NSC) has accused former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, of politicising the reception of Nigeria’s U-17 women’s national team, the Flamingos, following their victory at the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco.
The commission, in a statement issued on Monday and signed by its chairman, Shehu Dikko, rejected Obi’s claim that he was politically excluded from meeting the players at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, describing the allegation as misleading.
Dikko said NSC and Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) officials who received the team did not see Obi around the players. He added that two individuals wearing Peter Obi campaign face caps and other campaign materials approached the officials to request a meeting and photographs, but the request was declined.
He explained that the players arrived from Morocco at about 5.30 a.m. aboard an Air Maroc flight and were exhausted after their journey and a demanding competition. He said the officials considered their welfare before declining the unscheduled request, adding that Obi was travelling to Enugu through the domestic terminal while the team arrived at the international terminal.
Dikko maintained that Nigerians at the international terminal freely celebrated the players by taking photographs, dancing and shaking hands with them. He called on Obi to apologise to the young players, accusing him of turning an unscheduled interaction into a narrative of political victimisation.
The NSC chairman stressed that the Flamingos are minors and have a designated safeguarding official responsible for their protection, adding that access to the players must be properly managed to prevent them from being used to suggest allegiance to any political party. He said their achievement followed more than seven months of preparation, training and competitions.
“We urge Mr Obi and other Nigerians to demonstrate consistent support for our national teams through their preparation, competitions and setbacks, as well as when they return with trophies. 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.
Addressing Obi’s separate allegation that he was prevented from visiting the Super Eagles’ dressing room after Nigeria’s 1-1 draw with Zimbabwe in a 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier in Uyo on March 25, 2025, Dikko said the claim was inaccurate. He explained that the players requested privacy to hold an internal meeting after the disappointing result, adding that no dignitary or football official, including himself and the governors present, visited the dressing room.
