Tinubu, Obi, and Fayemi Share Cordial Moment at Pope Leo XIV’s Inauguration in Rome

 In a display of unity transcending Nigeria’s political divide, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu met with Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi and former Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi on May 18, 2025, during the historic inauguration of Pope Leo XIV at St. Peter’s Square in Vatican City. The light-hearted exchange among the trio, marked by humor and mutual respect, highlighted Nigeria’s presence at the global event, where world leaders gathered to witness the installation of the first American pontiff.

The encounter occurred during the solemn Mass, attended by an estimated 60,000 pilgrims and dignitaries, including U.S. Vice President JD Vance and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Tinubu, leading Nigeria’s delegation, was seated among other heads of state when Fayemi, a devout Catholic and Papal Knight, spotted him and invited Obi, also a Papal Knight, to join in greeting the president.

Tinubu’s delegation included prominent Catholic leaders, such as Archbishop Lucius Ugorji, President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria, Archbishop Ignatius Kaigama of Abuja, Archbishop Alfred Martins of Lagos, and Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah of Sokoto, alongside Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu. The president, a Muslim, used the occasion to emphasize Nigeria’s religious diversity as a tool for progress, speaking to the bishops about fostering stability through inclusive governance. He described his presence at the inauguration as a “rare and divine opportunity,” noting the personal invitation from Pope Leo XIV, who served in Lagos during the 1980s and considers Nigeria dear to his heart.

Obi, reflecting on the event, recalled his 2013 visit to the Vatican as Anambra’s governor alongside Fayemi for Pope Francis’s inauguration, underscoring his longstanding ties to the Church. He praised the new pope’s homily, which called for compassion toward the poor and marginalized, aligning with his own advocacy for equitable governance. Fayemi, a former governor and academic, echoed the sentiment, noting the event’s significance in reinforcing Nigeria’s global diplomatic presence.

The trio’s interaction, though brief, symbolized a rare convergence of political rivals in a sacred setting, with Tinubu later reaffirming his commitment to interfaith dialogue and national unity during a meeting with Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican’s Secretary of State. The Nigerian delegation returned to Abuja on May 20, leaving behind a moment of goodwill that resonated with observers of the country’s polarized political landscape.