NSC Demands Apology From Peter Obi Over Flamingos Airport Incident

The National Sports Commission (NSC) has asked the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, to apologise to members of Nigeria’s U-17 women’s national team, the Flamingos, over his claims of political exclusion during their reception at the Abuja airport.

NSC Chairman, Shehu Dikko, said officials of the Commission and the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) who received the team did not see Obi near the players or around the international terminal.

Dikko made this known in a statement on Monday while responding to Obi’s account of an alleged incident during the reception of the Flamingos, who recently returned from Morocco after winning the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup.

He rejected Obi’s description of the incident as political exclusion, saying the team’s historic achievement should unite Nigerians rather than create political disagreements.

According to Dikko, two individuals wearing campaign face caps and other clothing bearing Obi’s name approached officials at the airport and requested that the former Anambra State governor meet and take photographs with the players.

He said the request was declined because the proposed meeting was unexpected and no prior arrangement had been made. He added that the interaction could also have involved campaign materials.

Dikko explained that the Flamingos arrived at about 5.30 a.m. aboard an Air Maroc flight and were tired after their journey and demanding World Cup campaign.

He said the decision was taken to protect the players’ welfare and consider their condition after the long trip.

The NSC chairman also dismissed the suggestion that officials refused Obi access because they feared losing their jobs.

He noted that Obi had said he was at the airport to board a flight to Enugu, which would normally depart from the domestic terminal, while the Flamingos arrived at the international terminal.

Dikko said passengers and airport officials welcomed and celebrated the players without considering their political affiliations.

He added that members of the public took photographs with the players, danced and shook hands with them as they made their way to their buses.

According to him, media coverage of the reception did not show Obi near the team or anywhere around the international terminal.

Dikko criticised Obi for presenting the incident as political intimidation without first seeking clarification from the NSC or the NFF.

He said the former Anambra governor’s comments and subsequent media interviews had shifted attention from the players’ achievement to what he described as an individual political grievance.

The NSC chairman urged Obi to reflect on the incident and apologise to the young players.

“Their welfare, dignity and protection from undue pressure must remain central to every engagement,” he said.

Dikko stressed that the Flamingos are minors and have a designated safeguarding official within their technical crew.

He also said access to the players and arrangements for photographs must follow the appropriate regulations, adding that national athletes should not be used to suggest support for any political party.

The NSC chairman recalled that the Flamingos’ World Cup victory followed more than seven months of preparation, training, qualifying matches and participation in the WAFU tournament before their campaign in Morocco.

While acknowledging Obi’s congratulatory messages during the closing stages of the competition, Dikko said national teams deserved support throughout their preparations, competitions and difficult moments, not only when they won trophies.

He invited Obi and other Nigerians interested in meeting or hosting the players to submit formal requests to the NSC or NFF for proper arrangements.

Dikko also cited the example of a Nigerian businessman who sponsored a delegation to Morocco to support the team during the final and later donated $50,000 to the players on the pitch without seeking media attention or political recognition.

Dikko Also Addresses Super Eagles Dressing-Room Claim

The NSC chairman also disputed Obi’s claim that he was prevented from visiting the Super Eagles dressing room after Nigeria’s 1-1 draw with Zimbabwe in a 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier in Uyo on March 25, 2025.

Dikko said he sat on the same row with Obi and the governors of Lagos, Bayelsa and Akwa Ibom states during the match.

He explained that after the disappointing result, the players requested an immediate meeting among themselves and declined to receive visitors in the dressing room.

According to him, the decision applied to everyone, including himself, the governors and senior NFF officials.

He maintained that Obi was not singled out or denied access because of his political affiliation.

Dikko further explained that FIFA rules restricted access to technical areas, including dressing rooms, to accredited persons. Anyone seeking access was required to apply through the football federation and obtain prior approval.

He warned that breaking these rules could attract sanctions against the federation, including fines or a ban on the stadium from hosting future matches.

Dikko maintained that football remained a national asset capable of bringing Nigerians together across ethnic, religious and political differences.

He said the Flamingos’ World Cup victory should be celebrated as a source of national pride rather than used to deepen political divisions.