Flamingos
National Sports Commission (NSC) has accused Peter Obi of politicising Nigeria’s Flamingos’ FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup victory, urging the former presidential candidate to apologise to the young players over his reaction to their airport reception.
NSC Chairman, Shehu Dikko, in a statement on Monday, said Obi’s decision to present the incident as political intimidation shifted attention away from the achievement of the young Nigerian athletes.
The Flamingos returned from Morocco as world champions after defeating their opponents to claim the U-17 women’s title.
However, controversy followed after Obi stated that he was prevented from meeting the players during their arrival at the Abuja airport.
Reacting, Dikko said the claim was unfair to the players and the officials who managed the team’s arrival.
He said the team’s reception was handled based on welfare considerations and not political affiliation.
“The Flamingos have earned the country’s admiration, and their World Cup victory should strengthen our unity. It must not become another platform for partisan division,” Dikko said.
The NSC chairman said the players were minors and should not be placed in situations where their achievement could be connected to political interests.
He maintained that national teams belong to every Nigerian and should not be used to create political narratives.
Dikko further stated that Obi should have sought clarification from the sports authorities before making public comments on the matter.
He said the former governor’s statements and media interviews created unnecessary controversy around the players’ historic achievement.
The NSC chairman also referenced Obi’s earlier claim concerning access to Super Eagles players after Nigeria’s World Cup qualifier against Zimbabwe in Uyo in 2025.
According to him, no dignitary, including government officials and football authorities, entered the dressing room after the match because the players wanted time for internal discussions.
Dikko called on Nigerians to support national teams consistently, not only when they win trophies.
He said the Flamingos’ victory should remain a moment of national pride rather than political disagreement.
