My Visit to Pope’s Event Wasn’t Political — Obi

Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s presidential flagbearer in Nigeria’s 2023 general election, has clarified that his presence at the Vatican for the inauguration of Pope Leo XIV was entirely non-political.

Speaking on the visit, Obi noted that his attendance was consistent with his long-standing tradition of witnessing key national and global events—ranging from inaugurations to state ceremonies—emphasizing that such gatherings often hold deep moral and spiritual relevance.

Obi was seen at the ceremony, held at St. Peter’s Square on Sunday, alongside former Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi. Both men were later spotted in the company of President Bola Tinubu.

In a post on X on Monday, the former Anambra State governor said, “This was never a political event and should remain untouched by politics. Some moments are best reserved for quiet contemplation.

“After the inaugural Mass, I did not attend the Papal Audience and therefore did not have the opportunity to meet the Holy Father personally. That honour was reserved for heads of state and accredited diplomats. For those who desire such an encounter, the Papal Audience continues traditionally.”

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Obi explained that the content and moral force contained in the Pope’s homily, particularly his urgent call to fight poverty and promote a spirit of brotherhood that transcends ethnic, political, and religious boundaries, should command attention.

He said, “The deeper meaning of the gathering lies not in ceremonial gestures, but in whether those present internalised his message and will return with the resolve to act.

“The fight against corruption is the essential first step toward building societies where resources are directed to what truly matters – education, healthcare, poverty alleviation, and infrastructure.

“These should be our major concern and the lasting message we carry home from the Vatican. May we, in whatever station we occupy, rise to the task of building a more just, compassionate, and prosperous nation.

In a statement on Sunday, the presidential spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, said the former Ekiti governor spotted Obi and asked him to follow him to pay homage to Tinubu, which the former Anambra governor agreed to.

Onanuga explained that when they met with President Tinubu, Fayemi broke the ice between Obi and Tinubu by jokingly welcoming the President, saying it was their church and thanking him for honouring the Pope with his presence.

He recounted that President Tinubu, displaying his characteristic wit, responded by saying that he should be the one welcoming Fayemi and Obi, as he was the Head of the Nigerian Delegation.

Obi, in turn, was said to have agreed, acknowledging that they were indeed members of the President’s delegation.

Africa Today News, New York