The Presidency and former presidential aide Bashir Ahmad have strongly faulted the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, following his claims that officials of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) prevented him from greeting members of the national Under-17 women’s football team, the Flamingos.
​The controversy began around 7:00 AM on Monday, November 9, 2026, at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja. Obi, who was en route to board a flight to Enugu, spotted the returning team preparing to board a vehicle.
According to a statement posted on his official X account, the former Anambra State governor dispatched his protocol officer, Jackie Wayas, to inquire if he could briefly greet the players.
Obi alleged that NFF officials rejected the request, claiming they warned they would lose their jobs if he was allowed to approach the team. He subsequently decried what he termed the growing politicisation of national sports.
​Responding to the allegations on Monday evening, Dada Olusegun, Special Assistant to the President on Social Media, dismissed Obi’s account and cautioned the opposition leader against politicising national sporting feats.
Olusegun stated that national athletes represent Nigeria rather than individual political figures or party interests, adding that standard administrative and security protocols exist to protect young athletes from political exploitation. He further accused Obi of relying on unverified claims to foster a victim narrative.
​Concurrently, Bashir Ahmad, former presidential aide and current National Director of Media Monitoring and Rapid Response for the City Boy Movement, pushed back against Obi’s assertions.
Ahmad argued that being denied direct access to the team did not equate to political persecution. He noted that protocol, security, and administrative arrangements naturally govern access to national teams, urging Obi to prioritise facts and exercise responsibility.
​As of Monday night, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) had not issued an official statement regarding the incident.
