VOP NG reports that former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has criticised the administration of President Bola Tinubu over the alleged failure to pay the allowances of Nigeria’s national football team, the Super Eagles.
In a statement posted on his X (formerly Twitter) handle on Wednesday, Obi described the situation as “truly unfortunate,” saying it highlights misplaced priorities in governance.
“It is truly unfortunate that our Super Eagles, who consistently give their best in representing our nation, are being owed their allowances,” Obi wrote.
He lamented that while funds are often available for “needless lavish spending and political patronage,” those who bring pride to the country through service are neglected.
“We always seem to find money for extravagant spending, yet cannot pay those who patriotically raise our flag and serve with dedication. That is what is found in a now-disgraced country,” he added.
Obi warned that such treatment discourages young Nigerians and undermines national values.
“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 said.
“Those who represent Nigeria deserve to be paid promptly and treated with respect. We must do better.”
The criticism comes amid reports that Nigeria’s preparation for Thursday’s crucial World Cup qualifying match against Gabon hit a major setback, as players and officials reportedly boycotted training in Morocco over unpaid bonuses dating back to 2023.
Sports journalist Pooja, who is currently with the team in Morocco, confirmed the development via X, writing:
“BREAKING NEWS: Super Eagles players & officials boycott training today in Morocco because of unresolved issues with outstanding payments. This is really sad.”
She added that the financial dispute has lingered for nearly two years:
“According to latest reports, Super Eagles hasn’t been paid bonuses & allowances in 2 years. I’m going to the Super Eagles hotel in Rabat, Morocco 🇲🇦 now.”
The crisis was further highlighted when midfielder Alex Iwobi posted a short video showing the team’s allegedly poor lodging conditions in Morocco. The eight-second clip, filmed from his hotel room window, showed a rundown hotel compound, sparking outrage among Nigerian fans over the Nigeria Football Federation’s (NFF) handling of the team’s welfare.
The Super Eagles had opened their training camp in Rabat on Sunday, with early arrivals including Calvin Bassey, Samuel Chukwueze, Tolu Arokodare, and Olakunle Olusegun. However, the players’ boycott has cast doubt on Nigeria’s World Cup prospects and raised questions about the NFF’s transparency and commitment to meeting contractual obligations.
As of press time, the NFF had not issued an official response to the boycott or clarified when the owed bonuses would be paid.
The Super Eagles are scheduled to face Gabon on Thursday in Rabat. The winner will advance to the African playoff final against either Cameroon or the Democratic Republic of Congo on November 16. With morale reportedly low and players refusing to train, Nigeria’s hopes of returning to the World Cup are now in jeopardy.
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