Politics
THE Peter Obi Movement (POMR) has alleged that officials of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) prevented the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, Mr Peter Obi, from greeting Nigeria’s victorious Under-17 female football team at the airport.
The movement said Obi encountered the team at the airport on the morning of Nov. 11, while preparing to board a flight to Enugu.
This is contained in a statement issued by POMR and duly signed by Idris Zekr Jnr., dated Nov. 9, 2026.
According to the statement, Obi had asked his protocol officer, Jackie Wayas, to find out whether he could greet and congratulate the players.
It alleged that NFF officials pleaded with Obi not to approach the team, saying they could lose their jobs if he did so.
The statement said Obi respected the officials’ position but expressed concern over what he described as a growing culture of political hostility in the country.
It quoted Obi as describing the incident as “a new dimension of toxic politics in Nigeria”.
The movement recalled another incident on March 25, 2025, when Obi allegedly faced a similar restriction while attending a World Cup qualifying match in Uyo, Akwa Ibom.
It said that although the governor had welcomed him at the VIP stand, officials prevented him from greeting the players after the match.
According to the statement, Obi said he was also told on that occasion that the officials would lose their jobs if he approached the players.
He expressed concern that political differences were increasingly affecting interactions among Nigerians.
Obi called for a country where unity, mutual respect and shared humanity would take precedence over political affiliations.
He said the Nigeria he envisioned should have no room for hostility, intimidation or discrimination.
The statement reiterated his belief that “a new Nigeria is possible”.
M.P
Tags: POMR