Peter Obi has said officials of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) stopped him from meeting the Flamingos at the airport, according to TheCable. The former presidential candidate described the situation as "toxic politics," TheCable reports.
The Flamingos, Nigeria's women's youth national team, were returning home and were received with a trophy reception. Obi alleged he was kept from greeting the players during the welcome.
The claim drew a response from the Minister of Sports Development, who accused Obi of hypocrisy over the encounter, Vanguard reports. A presidential aide also weighed in, saying Obi was politicising the team's World Cup triumph, according to LEADERSHIP.
Punch and The Guardian Nigeria both carried reports of Obi's allegation that NFF officials blocked him from the players.
The episode has turned a homecoming for the team into a public dispute between Obi's camp and government officials. The reports do not indicate whether the NFF has responded to Obi's claim.
Watch for any statement from the NFF or the Flamingos' handlers addressing Obi's allegation, and for further comments from the sports ministry as the dispute continues.
