President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Sunday met with Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and former Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, at the Vatican City during the installation Mass of Pope Leo XIV.
The three Nigerian political figures, who were in Rome for the high-profile religious event, exchanged pleasantries in a brief but symbolic encounter that was made public by presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga via a post on his verified X (formerly Twitter) handle.
According to Onanuga, Fayemi, a Papal Knight and devout Catholic, spotted President Tinubu seated with other global leaders during the Mass and invited Obi to join him in greeting the President.
Obi, also a staunch Catholic and Papal Knight, agreed.
“Fayemi sighted President Tinubu, where he sat with other leaders, and asked Obi to follow him to pay homage to the Nigerian leader. Obi agreed,” Onanuga wrote
He added that Fayemi introduced the moment with a light-hearted remark to the President: “Mr. President, welcome to our church, and thank you for honouring the Pope with your presence.”
President Tinubu responded in kind, quipping: “I should be the one welcoming you and Peter. I’m the Head of the Nigerian Delegation.”
The exchange drew laughter from Obi, who replied, “Yes, indeed. We are members of your delegation.”
The encounter, though brief, has drawn public attention back home, with many viewing it as a rare display of civility and mutual respect among political opponents.
Obi contested the 2023 presidential election on the Labour Party platform, securing over six million votes.
President Tinubu, declared winner by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), polled over eight million votes.
The moment at the Vatican comes amid broader calls for unity and collaboration among Nigeria’s political leaders, especially as the country navigates complex economic and security challenges.
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2025-05-19
