In a statement issued on Monday, November 9, the President’s Special Assistant on Social Media, Dada Olusegun, accused Obi of attempting to politicise the country’s national sports teams and institutions.
Olusegun made the remarks while reacting to Obi’s post on X, where he described the alleged incident. He criticised what he called repeated attempts by opposition figures to turn national sporting activities into political issues.
He wrote:
“The constant attempt by the opposition to politicize our national sports teams and institutions is highly distasteful.
“Our national athletes, including the Under-17 girls’ team, represent the entire Federal Republic of Nigeria, not any specific political party or individual ambition. Protocol guidelines around national teams are designed strictly to protect young athletes from political exploitation, commercial distractions, and unnecessary media circuses while on official duty.
“To spin standard security and administrative protocols into a narrative of political victimization is a disservice to the unity that sports are meant to foster in our country.
“Mr Peter Obi, I hope you will reflect on your manipulative way of life and stop weaponizing unverified hearsay to build a victim narrative. Let our athletes focus on winning for Nigeria, free from political theater. Thank you.”
