President Bola Tinubu reunited with Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and former Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi during the installation mass of Pope Leo XIV at St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome on Sunday
The meeting was highlighted in separate posts on X by Obi and Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
According to Onanuga, Fayemi spotted President Tinubu seated among other dignitaries and invited Obi to join him in greeting the Nigerian leader. Fayemi reportedly joked, “Mr. President, welcome to our church, and thank you for honouring the Pope with your presence.”
President Tinubu replied with a lighthearted quip: “I should be the one welcoming you and Peter. I’m the Head of the Nigerian Delegation.” The remark drew laughter from Obi, who agreed, saying, “Yes, indeed. We are members of your delegation.”
Onanuga added that both Obi and Fayemi are devout Catholics and Papal knights.
In his own statement, Peter Obi confirmed the meeting, noting that they exchanged cordial greetings. However, he focused largely on the spiritual and symbolic importance of the event.
“Today, Dr. John Kayode Fayemi and I stood once again beneath the majestic dome of St. Peter’s Basilica for the inauguration of Pope Leo XIV, evoking memories of our presence here as governors in 2013 for the inauguration of Pope Francis,” Obi wrote.
He also recalled his past involvement in church events, including attending the canonisations of Pope John Paul II and Mother Teresa as part of Nigeria’s official delegation, and his ongoing role with Scholas Occurrentes, a global initiative promoting education, peace, and dialogue.
Reflecting on the homily delivered by Pope Leo XIV, Obi described it as deeply moving, particularly the pontiff’s call to care for the poor, the suffering, and the forgotten. He said he used the moment to pray for Nigeria and reaffirmed his commitment to advocating for investment in education, healthcare, and poverty alleviation.
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Happy meeting
Issokay
Peter Obi is everywhere