Keyamo Accuses Obi Of Hypocrisy Over NFF, U-17 Girls’ Team Controversy

Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has criticised Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, over his allegation that officials of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) prevented him from greeting Nigeria’s Under-17 female football team at an airport.

Keyamo questioned Obi’s decision to associate with what he described as a success story of the country and the Federal Government, despite his alleged repeated criticism of Nigeria.

In a post on X, the minister challenged Obi’s account, asking why he was eager to identify with the national team’s achievement if he believed the country was failing.

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“Mr. Peter Obi @PeterObi, in all your public vituperations, you often say things akin to the fact that ‘Nigeria is finished’. So, why are you now so anxious to associate with a success story of the country or this government? Just for photo ops? You see the hypocrisy?” Keyamo wrote.

The minister’s reaction followed Obi’s earlier claim that NFF officials stopped him from greeting the U-17 female team when he arrived at the airport on Monday morning.

Obi had alleged that the officials warned that they could lose their jobs if they allowed him to approach the players.

He also recalled a similar experience during a World Cup qualifying match in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, on March 25, 2025, when he said he was prevented from greeting players after the match.

Obi described the incidents as evidence of what he called a new dimension of toxic politics in Nigeria, urging political leaders to prioritise unity and mutual respect over party affiliations.