Presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 general elections, Peter Obi, has condemned the Federal Government for failing to pay the Super Eagles their outstanding allowances ahead of the 2026 World Cup playoff matches.
In a post shared on his verified X (formerly Twitter) handle on Tuesday, Obi described the situation as “truly unfortunate,” lamenting that Nigerian players who continue to represent the country with pride and commitment are being neglected, while public funds are recklessly spent on “lavish political patronage.”
“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 wrote.
The former Anambra State governor said the government’s failure to meet its obligations to the national team sends a dangerous message to Nigerian youths — that hard work and patriotism are not valued in the country.
“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. We must do better,” he added.
Obi’s comments come amid reports that Super Eagles players and officials boycotted training in Morocco over unpaid bonuses, just days before Thursday’s crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier.
The incident has sparked public outrage, with many Nigerians criticizing the authorities for mismanaging funds meant for sports development and international representation.
As the Super Eagles prepare for their must-win fixture, calls are growing for the Federal Ministry of Sports and the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to urgently resolve the players’ grievances and restore morale in the camp.
