President Bola Tinubu, former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi, and ex-Ekiti State Governor Dr. Kayode Fayemi were seen sharing a light-hearted and cordial moment during the inauguration mass of Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican on Sunday.
This rare interaction between Tinubu and Obi, almost two years after the hotly contested February 2023 presidential election, was revealed by Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, in a post on X (formerly Twitter). In that election, Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) emerged victorious over Obi and Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), among others.
Despite their political differences, their brief encounter in Rome was marked by civility and humour. Onanuga recounted how Fayemi, upon noticing Tinubu at the venue, invited Obi to join him in greeting the Nigerian leader. “Mr. President, welcome to our church, and thank you for honouring the Pope with your presence,” Fayemi reportedly said. Tinubu humorously responded, “I should be the one welcoming you and Peter. I’m the head of the Nigerian delegation.” His comment drew laughter, with Obi responding in agreement: “Yes, indeed. We are members of your delegation.”
Both Obi and Fayemi are known to be devout Catholics and Papal knights.
Reacting on his X page, Obi expressed that the event was particularly meaningful, marking the beginning of a new papacy. He noted the spiritual significance of being at St. Peter’s Basilica again, alongside Fayemi, recalling their 2013 visit during the inauguration of Pope Francis when both served as governors.
“Today, Dr. 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,” Obi stated. He also reflected on his past visits to the Vatican, including his participation in the canonisations of Pope John Paul II and Mother Teresa, and his involvement with Scholas Occurrentes, a global peace and education initiative founded by Pope Francis.
Photos from the event shared by Onanuga sparked a flurry of online reactions. While many praised the display of maturity and civility among the Nigerian leaders, others rekindled partisan debates over the 2023 election results and Tinubu’s performance in office.
Meanwhile, President Tinubu used the occasion to call for unity and national development through Nigeria’s diversity. Speaking with reporters after the mass at St. Peter’s Basilica, he said, “It is consistent in the true sense of unity in diversity, and I am greatly honoured. We have to continue to work on it for the sake of our country and the continent as a whole.”
This was contained in a statement signed by Bayo Onanuga titled: President Tinubu, At Meeting With Catholic Bishops, Says: Let’s Harness Our Diversity For The Prosperity Of The Nation.
At a meeting with members of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN), Tinubu, a Muslim, emphasized the importance of leveraging the country’s diverse cultures and religions for national prosperity. “If we use our diversity not for adversity but for prosperity, the country’s hope is stability and progress,” he said.
The Catholic delegation, led by Archbishop Lucius Ugorji of Owerri and President of the CBCN, thanked Tinubu for facilitating their travel to Rome to attend the inauguration of Pope Leo XIV and to pay respects to the late Pope Francis. Ugorji expressed optimism for stronger ties between the Catholic Church and the Nigerian presidency.
“You have always supported us. Now that you have come to the Vatican, we will also invite you to our conferences in Nigeria, hoping for continued collaboration,” Ugorji said.
Other prominent clerics in attendance included Archbishops Ignatius Kaigama (Abuja), Alfred Martins (Lagos), and Bishop Matthew Kukah (Sokoto Diocese).
President Tinubu joined global leaders in Rome to witness the commencement of Pope Leo XIV’s pontificate as the 267th Bishop of Rome and new head of the Catholic Church.