The Presidency and former presidential aide, Bashir Ahmad, have faulted the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, over his account of an alleged incident involving officials of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and members of the national Under-17 women’s team, the Flamingos.

Obi had claimed that NFF officials stopped him from greeting the players at an airport on Monday, allegedly warning that they could lose their jobs if they allowed him to approach the team.

The reactions followed the former Anambra State governor’s account of the incident, which he described as another dimension of toxic politics in the country.

Reacting in a statement on Monday, the Special Assistant to the President on Social Media, Dada Olusegun, accused opposition politicians of attempting to politicise national sports teams and institutions.

Olusegun said the Flamingos and other national athletes represent all Nigerians, irrespective of political affiliation.

He stated that established protocols for national teams were intended to protect young athletes from political exploitation, commercial distractions and unnecessary media attention while performing official duties.

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