Nigeria’s sports commission rejects Peter Obi’s claims over U17 Flamingos
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Punch
Nigeria’s National Sports Commission rejects Peter Obi’s claims that he wanted to meet the Flamingos, the world U17 champions, at Abuja airport. According to its chairman, Shehu Dikko, two people wearing Obi’s campaign caps requested the meeting, and the commission demands an apology.
The Nigeria National Sports Commission (NSC) explains why it refused the request by Peter Obi, presidential candidate for the Nigeria Democratic Congress, to meet the Flamingos, the world champion Under-17 team, at Abuja airport. According to its chairman, Shehu Dikko, the commission also denies that Obi himself sought to meet the players.
According to the NSC, the request was made suddenly by two people wearing caps and clothing from Mr Obi’s campaign, and the meeting could have involved campaign material. NSC and Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) officials who received the team say they did not see Mr Obi near the players. The Flamingos arrived at 5.30am on an Air Maroc flight from Morocco and were tired after their journey and the competition.
Peter Obi, for his part, says he was excluded from the Flamingos at the airport: he says he arrived at around 7am for a flight to Enugu, when he saw the team. The Flamingos beat Japan 2-1 in the final and won their first world U17 women’s title. According to Mr Dikko, nothing suggests that officials risked their posts.
