NEWS
NSC Accuses Obi Of Politicising Flamingos’ World Cup Triumph, Demands Apology
NSC Accuses Obi Of Politicising Flamingos’ World Cup Triumph, Demands Apology
The National Sports Commission (NSC) has accused former Anambra State governor and Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, of politicising the Flamingos’ historic FIFA Under-17 Women’s World Cup triumph, demanding an apology over his allegations that officials prevented him from greeting the team at Abuja airport.
NSC Chairman, Malam Shehu Dikko, said the commission rejected Obi’s portrayal of the incident as political exclusion, insisting that officials acted in the interest of the players’ welfare and safeguarding.
In a statement issued on Monday, Dikko said officials of the NSC and Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) who received the world champions reported that they did not see Obi near the players at the airport.
According to him, two individuals wearing campaign face caps and other materials associated with Obi approached officials to request a meeting and photographs between the former governor and the players.
He said officials declined the request because it was sudden, had not been communicated in advance and could involve campaign materials.
Dikko explained that the players had arrived from Morocco at about 5.30 a.m. aboard an Air Maroc flight and were tired after their journey and demanding World Cup campaign.
He maintained that the decision was taken to protect the young players and was not politically motivated.
“The players had just arrived early that morning on an Air Maroc flight at about 5.30 a.m. and were tired after their journey and a demanding competition. The officials exercised their judgment in declining the sudden meeting and photograph request at that time,” he said.
Every second brings Nigerians closer to exercising their democratic right and shaping the future of our nation.
Exercise your democratic right responsibly, peacefully and lawfully.
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 added that passengers and other Nigerians at the international terminal freely welcomed, photographed and celebrated the players without discrimination.
Channel
Dikko accused Obi of presenting the incident as political intimidation without first seeking clarification from the NFF or the commission.
He urged the former governor to reflect on his actions and apologise to the players, saying their historic achievement should not be overshadowed by political disagreements.
“I urge and advise that His Excellency, Mr Peter Obi, reflects deeply and offers an unreserved apology to these young girls for spoiling their moment of glory with his regrettable actions, subsequent statements and media interviews deliberately weaponising a non-issue for political gain,” he stated.
The NSC chairman further stressed that the Flamingos were minors and had a designated safeguarding official within their technical crew responsible for protecting their welfare and managing access to them.
He said the commission would not allow national athletes to be used to suggest political allegiance, adding that the same rules applied to public officials, political figures and other members of the public.
Dikko also faulted what he described as inconsistent support for the national team, pointing out that the players had undergone more than seven months of preparation, training, qualifiers and competitions before winning the title in Morocco.
He acknowledged Obi’s congratulatory messages during the closing stages of the tournament but called for sustained support for national teams beyond moments of success.
The commission chairman also disputed Obi’s account of a similar incident involving the Super Eagles after their 1-1 World Cup qualifying draw against Zimbabwe in Uyo on 25 March 2025.
Dikko, who said he attended the match alongside Obi and several state governors, explained that the players had declined to receive visitors in their dressing room because they wanted to hold an immediate meeting to review their performance.
He said no dignitary or official, including himself, the governors and senior NFF officials, visited the dressing room.
He further explained that the match was governed by FIFA protocols, which restricted access to technical areas, including dressing rooms, to accredited personnel and individuals cleared through the football federation.
Dikko warned that violations of such regulations could attract sanctions against the NFF or lead to the stadium being barred from hosting future international matches.
He nevertheless invited Obi and other Nigerians interested in meeting or hosting the Flamingos to submit formal requests to the NSC or NFF for appropriate arrangements to be made.
As an example of private-sector support, he disclosed that a Nigerian businessman who sponsored a delegation to Morocco to support the team during the final donated $50,000 to the players immediately after the match.
Dikko said the donation was made without seeking media attention or political recognition.
He concluded that the Flamingos’ achievement should serve as a source of national unity rather than become another subject of partisan disagreement.
“Football is our national asset that brings Nigerians together across ethnic, religious and political differences. Our national teams belong to every Nigerian,” he said.
Nigeria defeated Japan 2-1 in the final in Rabat, Morocco, to become the first African country to win the FIFA Under-17 Women’s World Cup.
DO YOU WANT TO WHISTLEBLOW, REPORT FRAUD, THEFT OR INJUSTICE OR INTIMIDATION? SEND US YOUR STORY/REPORT TO NEWSDESK@MEDIATODAY.NG
