Former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Mr Peter Obi, has condemned the reported non-payment of allowances owed to members of the Super Eagles, describing it as “truly unfortunate” and a reflection of misplaced national priorities.
In a statement posted on his official social media handle, Obi expressed dismay that the country often finds resources for “needless lavish spending and political patronage,” yet fails to fulfil basic obligations to those who represent Nigeria with pride and dedication.
“It is truly unfortunate that our Super Eagles, who consistently give their best in representing our dear nation, are being owed their allowances,” Obi stated. “We always seem to find money to waste on needless lavish spending and political patronage, yet we cannot pay those who patriotically raise our flag, bring us pride, and serve with dedication. That is what is found in a now disgraced country.”
Obi stressed that the treatment of national athletes reflects the broader culture of poor reward for hard work and public service in Nigeria, warning that it sends the wrong message to the younger generation.
“When those who serve their country are not treated with dignity, it sends the wrong message to our youth—that hard work and service are not rewarded. Those who represent Nigeria deserve to be paid promptly and treated with respect,” he added.
The former Anambra State governor urged the authorities to immediately clear the outstanding payments and adopt a more transparent and accountable system for managing funds related to national teams.
Reaffirming his vision for equity and responsible governance, Obi concluded: “We must do better. A new Nigeria is possible.”
Recall that on Tuesday that members of the Nigerian national football team, including players and officials, staged a boycott of training on Tuesday in protest over long-standing unpaid bonuses and allowances, highlighting ongoing issues within the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) regarding player welfare.
Led by captain William Troost-Ekong, the squad refused to participate in training sessions, citing unresolved financial obligations that had accumulated over multiple matches. The protest was reportedly a collective decision involving both players and team officials, according to veteran BBC journalist Oluwashina Okeleji, who first reported the development.
The team is insisting that all outstanding payments be settled before they resume full preparations for Thursday’s semi-final fixture against Gabon. Sources in Rabat indicated that, as of Tuesday night, the players had resolved not to take the field until the NFF cleared the debts.
Sulaiman Pooja Adebayo, a journalist on the ground, noted that the dispute extends beyond immediate payments. “The players are fighting for the new generation,” he said. “They want the NFF to be responsible going forward. This fight is beyond unpaid allowances; it’s about the future of football in Nigeria.”
