President Bola Tinubu met with Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, and former Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi during the installation Mass of Pope Leo XIV at St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome.
According to Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, the encounter took place when Fayemi spotted Tinubu seated among global dignitaries and invited Obi to join him in greeting the President.
“Fayemi broke the ice,” Onanuga shared in a post on X. “‘Mr. President, welcome to our church, and thank you for honouring the Pope with your presence,’ he said. President Tinubu, with his usual wit, replied, ‘I should be the one welcoming you and Peter. I’m the Head of the Nigerian Delegation.’ His remark drew laughter from Obi, who responded, ‘Yes, indeed. We are members of your delegation.’”
Onanuga noted that both Obi and Fayemi are devout Catholics and Papal knights.
Peter Obi also confirmed the interaction on X, highlighting the significance of the event and his ongoing connection to the Vatican.
“Today, Dr. Kayode Fayemi and I once again stood under the majestic dome of St. Peter’s Basilica for the inauguration of Pope Leo XIV—echoing our visit as governors in 2013 for Pope Francis’s installation,” Obi wrote. He recalled participating in major Vatican events, including the canonisations of Pope John Paul II and Mother Teresa, and his work with Scholas Occurrentes, a global educational initiative founded by Pope Francis.
Describing the occasion as particularly meaningful, Obi said he exchanged warm greetings with President Tinubu and appreciated the diverse gathering of world leaders and pilgrims.
He was especially moved by the Pope’s homily, which he said emphasized unity, compassion for the poor, and collective spiritual journey. Obi concluded by saying he prayed for Nigeria and reaffirmed his commitment to investing in key sectors like education, healthcare, and poverty alleviation.
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