NSC accuses Peter Obi of politicising Flamingos’ World Cup victory, demands apology

The National Sports Commission (NSC) has accused NDC presidential candidate, Peter Obi, of politicising the reception of Nigeria’s U-17 women’s national team, the Flamingos, following their return from Morocco as FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup champions.

The Commission’s Chairman, Shehu Dikko, dismissed Obi’s allegation that he was deliberately prevented from meeting the players at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, describing his account as a misrepresentation of what transpired.

Dikko, in a statement issued on Monday, said officials of the NSC and Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) who accompanied and received the team reported that they did not see Obi around the players or at the international terminal where the team arrived.

He explained that two individuals wearing campaign face caps and other attire associated with Obi approached the officials to request an opportunity for the former Anambra State governor to meet and take photographs with the players.

According to him, the officials declined the request because it was sudden, had not been communicated beforehand and could involve the use of campaign materials.

Dikko said the players had arrived from Morocco at about 5.30 a.m. aboard an Air Maroc flight and were exhausted after their journey and a demanding World Cup campaign.

“The officials exercised their judgment in declining the sudden meeting and photograph request at that time, taking account of the players’ welfare and the circumstances of the request and without any prior notice of any arrangement for airport reception for the team,” he said.

The NSC chairman added that Obi had indicated that 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 maintained that Nigerians at the international terminal freely celebrated the returning champions, taking photographs, dancing and shaking hands with the players without discrimination based on political affiliation.

Dikko further challenged Obi’s account, saying media personnel present to cover the team’s arrival did not capture him anywhere near the players or the international terminal.

The NSC chairman expressed displeasure that Obi had portrayed the incident as political intimidation without first seeking clarification from the Commission or the NFF.

He said the presidential candidate should apologise to the young players for allegedly diverting attention from their historic achievement.

“I urge and advise that His Excellency, Mr Peter Obi, reflect deeply and offer an unreserved apology to these young girls for souring their moment of glory with his regrettable actions, subsequent statement and media interviews deliberately weaponising a non-issue for political gain,” Dikko stated.

He stressed that the Flamingos were minors whose welfare and protection must take precedence over political considerations, noting that the team had a designated safeguarding official responsible for protecting and guiding the players.

According to him, access to the players, including photograph sessions and other engagements, must be properly coordinated to ensure that they are not subjected to undue pressure or used to suggest allegiance to any political party.

Dikko also used the opportunity to highlight the lengthy preparation behind the team’s World Cup triumph, saying their success was the product of more than seven months of training, qualifiers, the WAFU tournament and the competition in Morocco.

He acknowledged Obi’s congratulatory messages during the closing stages of the tournament but argued that national teams required consistent support beyond moments of victory.

“A message at the height of a team’s success is welcome, but it is not the same as sustained engagement with its preparation, welfare and development,” he said.

The NSC chairman called on Obi and other Nigerians interested in meeting or hosting the champions to submit formal requests through the Commission or the NFF to enable appropriate arrangements.