Presidency slams Peter Obi for politicising U-17 team protocols

President Tinubu's Special Assistant on Social Media, Dada Olusegun, has criticised NDC presidential candidate Peter Obi over his comments on Nigeria's U-17 female football team at the World Cup. Olusegun accused Obi of politicising national sports institutions, calling it a "disservice to the unity that sports are meant to foster."

Obi had alleged on X that NFF officials blocked him from greeting the players, claiming they feared job loss if they allowed interaction. Olusegun countered that standard security and administrative protocols exist to protect young athletes from political exploitation, commercial distractions, and undue media attention during official duty. He urged Obi to "stop weaponising unverified hearsay to build a victim narrative."

The exchange highlights ongoing tension between political figures and sports administration. NFF protocols restrict access to national team camps—a standard practice across many federations to maintain focus. Former presidential aide Bashir Ahmad also disagreed with Obi's characterization, supporting the protocol stance.

Should national team access become a political litmus test, or do protective protocols serve athletes better than photo opportunities?

SOURCE: https://dailypost.ng/2026/11/09/2026-u-17-wwc-stop-playing-victim-presidency-slams-peter-obi/