Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has returned from a reflective visit to the Vatican, where he attended the recent inauguration ceremony hosted by the Holy See.
In a statement shared on Monday via X (formerly Twitter), Obi described the visit as deeply meaningful and emphasized that it was not political in nature.
I have just returned from the Vatican, and it was a deeply solemn and reflective visit, he said. This was not a political event and should not be interpreted as such. Like other official ceremonies I’ve attended globally, this one carried moral and spiritual significance.
Obi clarified that he did not attend the Papal Audience and therefore did not meet Pope Francis. That audience, he explained, was strictly for heads of state and accredited diplomats.
Instead, Obi urged Nigerians to focus on the Pope’s message during the ceremony, which called for unity, brotherhood, and a commitment to fighting poverty and corruption beyond religious and political lines.
The real value of the event lies not in the ceremony, but in how we act on the Pope’s words. Fighting corruption is the first step to building societies that prioritize healthcare, education, and infrastructure, he added.
He concluded by calling on Nigerian leaders to work toward a fairer, more compassionate, and prosperous nation.
The Vatican event also drew public attention after a brief meeting between President Bola Tinubu, Obi, and former Ekiti Governor Kayode Fayemi during the installation mass of Pope Leo XIV. The moment went viral after it was shared online by presidential aide Bayo Onanuga.
