Abuja, November 9, 2026 – Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo on Monday accused Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate Peter Obi of hypocrisy after the former Anambra State governor complained that Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) officials stopped him from greeting the victorious Flamingos at the airport.
Obi had earlier posted on X, in a statement titled “A New Dimension of Toxic Politics in Nigeria,” that he arrived at the airport around 7 a.m. to board a flight to Enugu and spotted the Nigeria Under-17 women’s team, which had just returned from Morocco after winning the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup.
“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 wrote.
He said the incident was not isolated, recalling a similar experience on March 25, 2025, in Uyo during a World Cup qualifier, when he was again prevented from greeting players after the match despite being welcomed by the state governor. Obi described the episodes as evidence of growing toxic politics and called for a Nigeria free of hostility, intimidation or discrimination based on political affiliation.
The Flamingos defeated Japan 2-1 in the final on Saturday to become the first African team to win the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup, with goals from Awawu Bashiru and Oluebube Umejiaku. The team arrived at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, in the early hours of Monday.
Keyamo responded sharply on X, quoting Obi’s post. “Mr. Peter Obi @PeterObi, in all your public vituperations, you often say things akin to the fact that ‘Nigeria is finished’. So, why are you now so anxious to associate with a success story of the country or this government? Just for photo ops? You see the hypocrisy?” the minister wrote.
Keyamo portrayed the Flamingos’ triumph as a success story under President Bola Tinubu’s administration and questioned Obi’s eagerness to associate with it given his frequent criticisms of the state of the nation.
The exchange highlights ongoing political tensions between the opposition figure and the ruling All Progressives Congress government. Obi had publicly congratulated the Flamingos on their achievement in earlier posts, praising their talent, resilience and the pride they brought to Nigeria.
As of Monday afternoon, the NFF had not issued a public response to Obi’s claims. The controversy adds another layer to the charged atmosphere ahead of the 2027 general elections.
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