Presidency, Ahmad fault Obi over Flamingos airport incident
The Presidency and former presidential aide Bashir Ahmad have criticised the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, Peter Obi, over his claim that officials of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) prevented him from greeting Nigeria’s Under-17 women’s football team, the Flamingos.
The controversy followed Obi’s account of an incident at an airport on Monday, where he alleged that NFF officials stopped him from approaching the players, warning that they could lose their jobs if he greeted the team.
“To spin standard security and administrative protocols into a narrative of political victimisation is a disservice to the unity that sport is meant to foster in our country,” the Special Assistant to the President on Social Media, Dada Olusegun, said in a statement on Monday.
Olusegun accused the opposition of attempting to politicise national sporting institutions, insisting that the Flamingos represented Nigeria rather than any political party or individual.
He said established protocols were intended to protect young athletes from political exploitation, commercial distractions and unnecessary media attention while on official duty.
The presidential aide also accused Obi of relying on unverified claims to portray himself as a victim of political persecution.
Similarly, Ahmad, the National Director of Media Monitoring and Rapid Response of the City Boy Movement, dismissed suggestions that the incident amounted to political intimidation.
“Protocol, security and administrative considerations must have been involved,” Ahmad said.
He urged Obi to prioritise facts and national unity rather than interpreting administrative decisions as politically motivated.
“A new Nigeria is possible, but not through perpetual political antagonism,” he added.
Obi had earlier explained that he was travelling to Enugu when he noticed the Flamingos preparing to board a vehicle after arriving in the country.
According to him, he directed his protocol officer, Jackie Wayas, to seek permission for him to greet the players but was informed that NFF officials had objected.
The former Anambra State governor described the incident as another troubling dimension of political intolerance.
However, the NFF had not issued an official response to Obi’s allegations as of the time of the original report.