Omokri Accuses Obi of Politicising Flamingos’ World Cup Victory

Former presidential aide Reno Omokri has accused the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, Peter Obi, of politicising the historic FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup victory of Nigeria's Flamingos.

Omokri's criticism followed Obi's allegation that officials of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) prevented him from greeting the players when they returned to Nigeria on Monday.

Obi had said he arrived at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, at about 7 a.m. to board a flight to Enugu when he noticed the victorious team returning from Morocco.

He explained that he instructed his protocol officer, Jackie Wayas, to find out whether he could welcome the players but was informed that NFF officials had refused the request, allegedly threatening that they could lose their jobs if they allowed him access.

In response to the controversy, Omokri faulted Obi's decision to make the incident public, arguing that the team's historic achievement should not be overshadowed by political disagreements.

The National Sports Commission (NSC), through its chairman, Shehu Dikko, also rejected Obi's account, saying officials who received the team did not see the former governor near the players.

Dikko explained that two individuals wearing Obi's campaign face caps and other political materials had approached officials to request a meeting and photographs with the players.

He said the request was declined because it was sudden, had not been arranged beforehand and could have involved campaign materials.

The commission added that the players, who are minors, had just arrived after a demanding competition and needed their welfare and safeguarding arrangements to be respected.

Dikko also denied that officials threatened to lose their jobs over the request, describing the allegation as unsupported by the accounts provided by those present.

He urged Obi to apologise to the players, insisting that their achievement should remain a source of national unity rather than become a subject of partisan disagreement.

The controversy followed the Flamingos' historic 2-1 victory over Japan in the final of the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup in Morocco, making Nigeria the first African country to win the competition.