Former Anambra State governor and Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has publicly condemned the failure to pay match allowances owed to Nigeria's national football team, the Super Eagles. He labeled the situation a national embarrassment that tarnishes the country's reputation and dampens national morale.
Obi's Stern Rebuke on Social Media
Obi voiced his strong criticism in a post on his official Facebook page. He expressed deep concern that Nigeria persists in creating negative stories at times when its citizens desperately need unity and positive engagements. According to him, the Super Eagles have recently been a significant source of national pride and joy, uplifting the spirits of Nigerians both at home and in the diaspora with their performances.
He pointed out the stark irony that while these athletes are providing much-needed happiness, they are simultaneously being denied their basic match allowances. "At a time when Nigerians need joy and unity—something the Super Eagles have been providing by winning matches and lifting our spirits worldwide—these same players are being denied their basic match allowances," Obi wrote.
Questioning National Priorities
The former presidential candidate sharply questioned the country's spending priorities. He noted that substantial sums are often written off as debts for government agencies and political allies, and spent on what he termed grandiose and self-serving projects. Yet, the authorities seem incapable of meeting a fundamental obligation to the nation's sporting representatives.
Obi stressed that this failure to honor pre-tournament agreements is utterly unacceptable. He argued that the situation not only damages Nigeria's international reputation but also unfairly piles additional pressure on the players as they prepare for an important quarter-final match.
An Appeal for Responsibility
In his concluding remarks, Peter Obi made a direct appeal for accountability. He emphasized that the Super Eagles players deserve better than this embarrassment and the avoidable distractions ahead of a critical game. "The Super Eagles do not deserve this embarrassment or the avoidable distractions ahead of a crucial quarter-final match. Nigeria must learn to fulfil its obligations," he asserted.
His statement highlights a growing frustration with administrative failures that overshadow national achievements, particularly in sports where the Super Eagles have consistently served as a unifying force for the country.
