NSC disputes Obi’s account of Flamingos airport encounter

The National Sports Commission disputed Peter Obi’s account of being prevented from greeting Nigeria’s victorious Under-17 women’s team, the Flamingos, at Abuja airport, saying officials did not see him near the players and had declined a request made by two campaign-clad intermediaries.

NSC Chairman Shehu Dikko said the two people, wearing Obi campaign face caps and other campaign attire, asked officials to arrange a meeting and photographs with the former governor. He said the request was sudden and no reception involving Obi had been arranged in advance. Officials declined, Dikko said, because the players were tired after arriving from Morocco at about 5:30 a.m.

Obi gave a different account. He said he was at the airport to board a flight to Enugu when he saw the team and asked his protocol officer, Jackie Wayas, to seek permission for him to greet the players. According to Obi, she was told that Nigeria Football Federation officials had refused and could lose their jobs if they let him approach the team.

Dikko said the officials’ account did not support the allegation that their jobs were at risk. He also said officials and passengers welcomed the team, taking photographs and...