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From Adesuwa Tsan, Abuja
Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has lamented what he described as the growing culture of toxic politics, intimidation and discrimination in Nigeria, saying the country’s political environment has continued to deteriorate since 2025, with each passing year bringing further intolerance.
Obi raised the alarm yesterday after he was allegedly prevented from greeting Nigeria’s victorious Under-17 women’s football team, the Flamingos, at the airport, claiming that officials of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) pleaded with him not to approach the players for fear of losing their jobs.
“It is deeply troubling to witness the extent of toxic politics into which our nation has descended since 2025. Each year appears to bring further deterioration. This reflects how deeply Nigeria has been affected,” he said.
The former Anambra State governor, who disclosed the incident in a statement posted on his X handle, said he had arrived at the airport at about 7 a.m. to board a flight to Enugu when he sighted the players, who had just returned from an international engagement.
According to him, his attempt to welcome and congratulate the players was frustrated by NFF officials who allegedly expressed fears that allowing him to interact with the team could cost them their jobs.
“I arrived at the airport at 7 a.m. this morning to board my flight to Enugu. There, I saw the Nigeria Under-17 girls’ team, which had just arrived and was preparing to board its vehicle into town.
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“With genuine joy and enthusiasm, I asked my protocol officer, Jackie Wayas, to find out whether I could greet and welcome the team. I was informed that officials of the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) had refused and had requested that I not approach them because, if I did, they would all lose their jobs.”
Obi said the incident reflected a disturbing level of political intolerance in which even ordinary expressions of goodwill towards national sporting representatives had become subject to political considerations.
He recalled a similar experience during a World Cup qualifying match in Uyo on March 25, 2025, when he was allegedly prevented from greeting Nigerian players after the match, despite being warmly received by the Akwa Ibom State governor at the VIP stand.
“Following the match, other government officials went to greet the players, but I was again prevented from doing so. I was told by the officials that they would lose their jobs if I proceeded,” he said.
Obi expressed concern that political differences were increasingly being allowed to undermine national unity, mutual respect and the freedom of Nigerians to associate with one another.
He called for an end to political hostility, intimidation and discrimination, insisting that Nigerians should be able to celebrate national achievements and interact freely, irrespective of their political affiliations.
“The new Nigeria we aspire to build must have no room for hostility, intimidation, or discrimination, regardless of political affiliation. It must be a Nigeria in which unity, mutual respect, and our shared humanity take precedence over political differences. A new Nigeria is possible,” Obi added.
