Firstsitenews-Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 general elections, has returned from a reflective trip to the Vatican, where he attended a recent inauguration ceremony held by the Holy See. In a statement shared via his official X handle on Monday, Obi emphasized that the visit was not political and should not be interpreted as such.
“I’ve just returned from the Vatican after a deeply solemn and reflective visit. My attendance at the inauguration ceremony aligns with my tradition of participating in official global ceremonies — this was no different,” he said.
Obi stressed that events of such nature carry significant moral and spiritual weight, noting, “This was never a political engagement and should not be politicized. Some moments are meant for quiet reflection.”
He clarified that he did not attend the Papal Audience and, therefore, did not meet with Pope Francis personally, explaining that the audience was reserved strictly for heads of state and accredited diplomats.
Obi urged Nigerians to focus on the powerful moral message delivered by the Pope, particularly his call to confront poverty and foster unity beyond ethnic, political, and religious lines.
“The real significance of such a gathering lies not in the ceremonial presence, but in our readiness to act upon the Pope’s message. Fighting corruption is the first crucial step toward building a society where public resources are used to improve education, healthcare, infrastructure, and lift people out of poverty,” Obi stated.
He concluded by urging Nigerian leaders to embrace the Pope’s message as a call to build a fairer, more compassionate, and prosperous nation.
Notably, Obi was seen alongside President Bola Tinubu and former Ekiti State Governor Dr. Kayode Fayemi during the installation mass of Pope Leo XIV on Sunday — a moment that sparked public attention after being shared online by presidential aide Bayo Onanuga. The brief encounter took place during a ceremony attended by dignitaries from around the world.
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