President Bola Tinubu, Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate Peter Obi, and former Ekiti State Governor Dr. Kayode Fayemi shared a brief but notable moment during the installation Mass of Pope Leo XIV held on Sunday at the Vatican in Rome.
The encounter, which gained traction on social media after being posted by presidential aide Bayo Onanuga on X (formerly Twitter), occurred during the high-profile religious event attended by global dignitaries.
According to Onanuga, Fayemi first spotted President Tinubu seated among other world leaders and encouraged Obi to accompany him in greeting the Nigerian President. “Fayemi sighted President Tinubu where he sat with other leaders and asked Obi to follow him to pay homage to the Nigerian leader. Obi agreed,” Onanuga wrote.
As they approached, Fayemi made a light-hearted remark to set a friendly tone: “Mr. President, welcome to our church, and thank you for honouring the Pope with your presence.”
President Tinubu responded with humour, saying, “I should be the one welcoming you and Peter. I’m the head of the Nigerian delegation.” This prompted laughter from Obi, who replied, “Yes, indeed. We are members of your delegation.”
The cordial exchange was especially symbolic given the backdrop of the fiercely contested 2023 presidential election, in which Tinubu, representing the All Progressives Congress (APC), was declared the winner over Obi of the Labour Party.
Both Obi and Fayemi are known to be devout Catholics and Papal Knights—an honour awarded by the Vatican to distinguished members of the Catholic Church—adding further significance to their presence at the ceremony.
ADEOLA KUNLE
