Former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, has criticised the continued failure of Nigerian authorities to pay match allowances owed to the Super Eagles, describing the situation as a national embarrassment and an unnecessary distraction for the players.
In a post shared on his official X (formerly Twitter) handle.on Wednesday, Obi expressed frustration over what he called Nigeria’s recurring troubling news, especially at a time when the national football team has been lifting the country’s spirit through their performances on the international stage.
“When will this embarrassment end?” Obi asked.
He lamented that while Nigerians are yearning for moments of joy and unity, largely provided by the Super Eagles through their recent victories, the players are reportedly being denied their basic entitlements.
“Can we get through a day without troubling news in this country? At a time when Nigerians need joy and unity—something the national football team, the Super Eagles, has been providing by winning matches and lifting our spirits worldwide—these same players are being denied their basic match allowances,” he wrote.
Obi also drew attention to what he described as misplaced priorities by government, noting that huge sums are often written off or spent on projects that do not directly benefit citizens, while modest obligations to national heroes remain unpaid.
> “A country that writes off trillions in debts for government agencies and political allies, and squanders money on grandiose, self-serving projects, now struggles to pay the basic match bonuses owed to our players,” the former Anambra State governor stated.
According to him, the situation damages Nigeria’s international reputation and reflects poorly on the nation’s ability to honour agreements.
“Nigeria deserves a better international image than this ongoing failure to honor previously agreed-upon allowances before the tournament,” Obi said.
He warned that such lapses could affect the players’ focus, especially with a crucial match ahead.
“The Super Eagles do not deserve this embarrassment or the avoidable distractions ahead of a crucial quarter-final match. Nigeria must learn to fulfill its obligations,” he added.
Obi concluded his message with a note of optimism and advocacy for change, stating “A New Nigeria is POssible.”
Former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, has criticised the continued failure of Nigerian authorities to pay match allowances owed to the Super Eagles, describing the situation as a national embarrassment and an unnecessary distraction for the players.
In a post shared on his official X (formerly Twitter) handle.on Wednesday, Obi expressed frustration over what he called Nigeria’s recurring troubling news, especially at a time when the national football team has been lifting the country’s spirit through their performances on the international stage.
“When will this embarrassment end?” Obi asked.
He lamented that while Nigerians are yearning for moments of joy and unity, largely provided by the Super Eagles through their recent victories, the players are reportedly being denied their basic entitlements.
“Can we get through a day without troubling news in this country? At a time when Nigerians need joy and unity—something the national football team, the Super Eagles, has been providing by winning matches and lifting our spirits worldwide—these same players are being denied their basic match allowances,” he wrote.
Obi also drew attention to what he described as misplaced priorities by government, noting that huge sums are often written off or spent on projects that do not directly benefit citizens, while modest obligations to national heroes remain unpaid.
> “A country that writes off trillions in debts for government agencies and political allies, and squanders money on grandiose, self-serving projects, now struggles to pay the basic match bonuses owed to our players,” the former Anambra State governor stated.
According to him, the situation damages Nigeria’s international reputation and reflects poorly on the nation’s ability to honour agreements.
“Nigeria deserves a better international image than this ongoing failure to honor previously agreed-upon allowances before the tournament,” Obi said.
He warned that such lapses could affect the players’ focus, especially with a crucial match ahead.
“The Super Eagles do not deserve this embarrassment or the avoidable distractions ahead of a crucial quarter-final match. Nigeria must learn to fulfill its obligations,” he added.
Obi concluded his message with a note of optimism and advocacy for change, stating “A New Nigeria is POssible.”