Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, has accused officials of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) of preventing him from greeting members of the national Under-17 women’s football team, the Flamingos, at the Abuja airport.

Obi made the allegation in a post on his official X handle on Monday titled “A New Dimension of Toxic Politics in Nigeria.”

According to Obi, he arrived at the airport at about 7 a.m. on Monday to board a flight to Enugu when he saw the Flamingos, who had just arrived and were preparing to board a vehicle into town.

He said he was delighted to see the players and asked his Protocol Officer, Jackie Wayas, to find out whether he could approach them to offer his greetings and welcome.

He said NFF officials refused the request, allegedly warning that they would lose their jobs if he was allowed to interact with the team.

Obi said the incident was not the first time he had been prevented from greeting Nigerian footballers.

He recounted a similar experience on March 25, 2025, during a World Cup qualifier in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State. He said the governor had welcomed him at the VIP stand, but he was later stopped from greeting the players after the match. According to him, other government officials went to greet the players, but he was again prevented from doing so.

Describing the incidents as evidence of toxic politics, Obi said the situation reflected a deterioration in the country’s political climate since 2025.

He called for a new Nigeria with no room for hostility, intimidation, or discrimination, regardless of political affiliation, adding that unity, mutual respect, and shared humanity should take precedence over political differences.

The Flamingos returned to Abuja on Monday after defeating Japan 2-1 in Saturday’s final in Morocco to win their first World Cup title.