Bashir Ahmad disputes Peter Obi's claim NFF blocked airport greeting of U-17 girls
Former presidential spokesperson Bashir Ahmad pushes back on Peter Obi's claim that Nigeria Football Federation officials blocked him from greeting the victorious U-17 female team at the airport on Monday. Obi, the NDC presidential candidate, says he spotted the team returning from their World Cup win while waiting for a flight to Enugu, but NFF staff allegedly warned his protocol officer they'd lose their jobs if he approached the players.
Ahmad, an APC chieftain, argues the decision likely stemmed from standard protocol, security, or administrative rules—not political persecution. "Nigeria is bigger than any individual or political party," he says, urging focus on facts over narratives that inflame tensions.
The incident highlights how routine airport interactions become political flashpoints. Neither the NFF nor airport authorities have issued statements clarifying the access rules for public figures greeting national teams.
With elections approaching, will such incidents shape how politicians engage with national achievements, or will protocol standards be clarified to prevent future disputes?