By Muhammed Akindele
The 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has condemned the non-payment of allowances owed to members of the Super Eagles, describing the situation as “unfortunate” and reflective of misplaced priorities in the country.
In a statement shared on his official X handle (@PeterObi) on Wednesday, Obi criticized the government for neglecting athletes who, according to him, “patriotically raise our flag, bring us pride, and serve with dedication,” while public funds are often wasted on “needless lavish spending and political patronage.”
“It is truly unfortunate that our Super Eagles, who consistently give their best in representing our dear nation, are being owed their allowances,” Obi wrote.
He noted that failure to promptly compensate players who represent Nigeria sends the wrong message to young people — that hard work and national service are not rewarded.
Obi further urged authorities to treat national athletes with respect and ensure timely payment of their entitlements.
“Those who serve their country deserve to be paid promptly and treated with respect. We must do better. A New Nigeria is POssible,” he added.
Peter Obi’s comments come amid reports that the Super Eagles boycotted Tuesday’s training session in Rabat, Morocco, ahead of their 2026 FIFA World Cup African playoff match against Gabon, over unpaid allowances and bonuses owed by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).
Team captain William Troost-Ekong confirmed the boycott on his X handle, clarifying that the protest was not about new demands but about unsettled allowances from previous competitions, including the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers.
“Once a resolution is found, we will be the first to confirm. Any other statement or claim, especially demands other than the rightful request written about below, is false,” Ekong wrote.
As of the time of filing this report, the NFF has not released an official statement regarding the players’ protest.
