The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has alleged that officials of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) prevented him from felicitating the country’s Under-17 women’s football team at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja on Monday.

The team’s players and officials arrived  in Nigeria via Abuja in the early hours of Monday after their Women’s U-17 World Cup triumph in Morocco. 

Obi, in a statement on Monday, said the NFF officials kept him at bay for fear of losing their jobs.

Obi described the incident as a “new dimension of toxic politics” which he said has festered since 2015.

“I arrived at the airport at 7 a.m. this morning to board my flight to Enugu. There, I saw the Nigeria Under-17 girls’ team, which had just arrived and was preparing to board its vehicle into town,” he said.

“With genuine joy and enthusiasm, I asked my Protocol Officer, Jackie Wayas, to find out whether I could greet and welcome the team. I was informed that officials of the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) had refused and had requested that I not approach them because, if I did, they would all lose their jobs.

“Regrettably, this is not the first time I have been subjected to such treatment. On March 25, 2025, I was in Uyo for the World Cup qualifier. The governor warmly received me and welcomed me at the VIP stand.

“Following the match, other government officials went to greet the players, but I was again prevented from doing so. I was told by the officials that they would lose their jobs if I proceeded. 

“It is deeply troubling to witness the extent of toxic politics into which our nation has descended since 2025. Each year appears to bring further deterioration. This reflects how deeply Nigeria has been affected.”

Obi, a former governor of Anambra state, called for politics without bitterness or animosity.

“The new Nigeria we aspire to build must have no room for hostility, intimidation, or discrimination, regardless of political affiliation,” he said.

“It must be a Nigeria in which unity, mutual respect, and our shared humanity take precedence over political differences.”

Troops of Operation IGBO DANU II, under the 2 Division of the Nigerian Army, have neutralised a suspected criminal and recovered an AK-47 rifle during an operation in the Old Oyo National Park.

This was disclosed by the Nigerian Army in a statement shared on its official X account, titled, “TROOPS OF OPERATION IGBO DANU II NEUTRALISE CRIMINAL, RECOVER AK-47 IN OLD OYO NATIONAL PARK.”

According to the Army, the operation was conducted in collaboration with hybrid forces and followed an encounter with suspected criminal elements on November 7, 2026.

The statement said the troops, while conducting operations within the park, engaged the suspects, who fled upon sighting the advancing soldiers.

It added that the troops recovered an AK-47 rifle, an empty magazine and a Dane gun, further degrading the operational capabilities of the fleeing elements.

During a follow-up operation on November 8, the soldiers discovered the corpse of one of the fleeing suspects, confirming the neutralisation of one criminal element.

The Army also disclosed that temporary shelters believed to have served as hideouts were destroyed to disrupt criminal activities and deny the suspects safe havens within the forested area.

“The Nigerian Army, in collaboration with other security stakeholders, remains resolute in sustaining operations to dismantle criminal networks, deny them safe havens and restore security across the 2 Division Area of Responsibility,” the statement said.

It added that exploitation of the general area was ongoing to track fleeing elements and prevent them from regrouping.

Former minister of defence, Theophilus Danjuma, says he is supporting the re-election bid of President Bola Tinubu, adding that his administration has been fair to Christians in appointments.

Danjuma, a retired army general, spoke on Saturday at the 20th anniversary and fundraising ceremony of the Adamawa state government house chapel held in Yola.

He said electing Tinubu for another four years would give the administration ample time to complete what he described as meaningful projects.

Represented by Ishaya Bamaiyi, former chief of army staff, Danjuma said since the inception of his administration, Tinubu has exhibited fairness and tolerance by appointing several Christians to government positions.

He called on Nigerians, especially those in the middle belt, to support the president’s second term quest.

He maintained that the prospect of another northerner becoming president could unsettle the current geopolitical arrangement.

The retired general implored the movement to expand the Adamawa government house chapel, urging faithful to have the fear of God in their individual and collective undertakings to attract His guidance and blessings.

He pledged N250 million towards the fundraising ceremony to support the expansion of the chapel and ensure it stands the test of time.

The development follows a visit by Danjuma and some leaders from the north-west and north-central to President Tinubu at the State House on Thursday, where they declared their support for his administration and readiness to strengthen his political base across their communities.

Speaking to State House correspondents after the visit, Yakubu Dogara, former speaker of the house of representatives, said the delegation was particularly encouraged by what he described as remarkable improvements in the country’s security situation.

He said the gains recorded under Tinubu have provided further justification for rallying support for his re-election.

The delegation included Caleb Mutfwang, governor of Plateau; Agbu Kefas, governor of Taraba; Chris Musa, minister of defence; and Nentawe Yilwatda, national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), among others.