The Flamingos Won A World Cup, And The Politicians Moved In
Abuja · Thursday 12 November 2026
Within days of the Flamingos winning the U-17 Women's World Cup, the team had become part of the 2027 campaign. Senate President Godswill Akpabio said their victory showed President Tinubu and the APC would win again, and Vice President Kashim Shettima accused Peter Obi of "clout chasing" over the team's arrival in Abuja.
What was said
| Who | What |
|---|---|
| Godswill Akpabio | The World Cup coming home before the election means "we have won the next election" |
| Kashim Shettima | Obi went "out of protocol" to greet the team |
| Peter Obi | Says he simply asked to greet the players at the airport |
| National Sports Commission | Says the meeting was not arranged and Obi's aides approached the team |
Akpabio spoke while presenting the Senate's ₦100m gift to the team.
The Flamingos beat Brazil and Japan. They should not have to be drafted into a presidential campaign as well.
The rewards are deserved and the receptions are reasonable. Turning the trophy into a campaign prop is neither, and it diminishes something the whole country can be proud of regardless of how it votes.
Reporting: Premium Times, Vanguard and Channels Television.
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