Presidency tackles Obi over alleged prevention from greeting Flamingos.
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The Presidency has accused opposition politicians of attempting to politicise Nigeria’s national sports teams, following a claim by former Anambra State governor, Peter Obi, that he was prevented from greeting members of the victorious Flamingos at an airport.
The Special Assistant to the President on Social Media, Dada Olusegun, made the position known in a post on X on Monday, describing attempts to politicise national sports teams and institutions as distasteful.
Obi, the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, had alleged that officials of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) stopped him from approaching the Under-17 women’s national team after their return from the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco. Reacting to the allegation, Olusegun said national athletes, including the Flamingos, represented the entire country rather than any political party or individual. He explained that protocols governing national teams were designed to protect young athletes from political exploitation, commercial distractions and unnecessary media attention while on official duties. “The constant attempt by the opposition to politicize our national sports teams and institutions is highly distasteful,” he wrote.
MSEApp News is publishing an original rewrite of this tip for readers, based on reporting associated with Vanguard.