The Presidency has offered an explanation for why former Anambra State Governor and presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, did not meet members of Nigeria's Flamingos team following their return to the country after winning the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup.

The clarification came after Obi reportedly expressed disappointment over his inability to welcome the victorious players at the airport, alleging that officials of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) prevented him from meeting the team despite his presence at the facility.

The development generated public attention, prompting Bayo Onanuga, an aide to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to respond to the former governor's account in a statement published on his official X account on Tuesday, November 10, 2026.

In his explanation, Onanuga maintained that Obi did not meet the players because he was not at the terminal where the team arrived. He explained that the former governor had indicated that he was at the airport to catch a flight to Enugu, which was expected to depart from the domestic terminal.

According to the presidential aide, the Flamingos arrived from Morocco through the international terminal, where airport personnel and other passengers were already gathered to receive and celebrate the players following their achievement.

Onanuga further suggested that the difference between the two terminals accounted for why Obi was unable to join those who welcomed the victorious team.

In his statement on X, Bayo Onanuga wrote:

"Mr Obi stated that he was at the airport to board a flight to Enugu, which would ordinarily depart through the domestic terminal. The Flamingos, returning from Morocco, arrived through the international terminal, where airport officials and passengers welcomed and celebrated them".

The Presidency's response has introduced another dimension to the controversy surrounding Obi's claim that he was prevented from welcoming the young Nigerian footballers.

While Obi's account raised questions about the circumstances surrounding his inability to meet the team, Onanuga's explanation centred on the different airport terminals used for domestic and international flights.