Former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has taken aim at the Federal Government over reports that Nigeria’s national football team, the Super Eagles, are being owed outstanding allowances — describing the situation as yet another sign of a “now disgraced country.”
Obi’s comments come amid public outrage following a viral video posted by midfielder Alex Iwobi, which revealed the allegedly poor state of the team’s accommodation in Rabat, Morocco, ahead of their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying playoff against Gabon.
In a post shared on his 𝕏 (formerly Twitter) handle on Tuesday, Obi expressed deep disappointment that athletes who consistently give their all for Nigeria were being treated with neglect, even as government officials continue to spend lavishly on nonessential matters.
“It is truly unfortunate that our Super Eagles, who continue to make sacrifices in representing our dear nation, are being owed their allowances,” Obi wrote.
“We always seem to find money for needless extravagance and political patronage, yet we cannot pay those who patriotically raise our flag and bring us pride. This is what you find in a ‘now disgraced country.’”
The former Anambra State governor argued that such neglect sends a damaging signal to young Nigerians — one that undermines the values of hard work, patriotism, and service.
“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,” he added.
“Those who represent Nigeria deserve prompt payment and respect. We must do better.”
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Obi’s statement has since stirred conversations online, with many Nigerians echoing his sentiments and demanding accountability from sports authorities. Critics say the controversy highlights a larger culture of mismanagement and misplaced priorities in Nigeria’s public sector — where national pride often takes a back seat to political indulgence.
As the Super Eagles prepare for their crucial World Cup qualifier, questions remain over whether the government and football administrators will finally resolve the long-standing issue of unpaid allowances — and restore some measure of dignity to the country’s most celebrated team.
