President Bola Tinubu told former Governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi; and former Governor of Ekiti State, Kayode Fayemi, that, he is “the Head of the Nigerian delegation”, when he met them at the inauguration of Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican, Rome, Italy.
The 2023 Labour Party Presidential candidate responded to the President, “Yes, indeed. We are members of your delegation.”
Pope Leo XIV succeeds Pope Francis, who passed at the age of eighty-eight (88) on Easter Monday, 21 April, 2025.
The Nigerian Presidency, through Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser, Information and Strategy, to President Tinubu, made known the meeting of President Tinubu with Peter Obi and Kayode Fayemi at the Vatican.
“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”, the Presidency said.
Bayo Onanuga (X/@aonanuga1956) wrote: “President Tinubu meets with Peter Obi, Fayemi at the Vatican
“President Bola Tinubu, Mr Peter Obi, the Labour Party Presidential candidate, and former Ekiti governor Kayode Fayemi met at Pope Leo XIV’s installation mass on Sunday in Rome.
“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. On getting to the President, Fayemi broke the ice between Obi and Tinubu. He said:
““Mr. President, welcome to our church, and thank you for honouring the Pope with your presence.” President Tinubu, ever quick-witted, responded: “I should be the one welcoming you and Peter. I’m the Head of the Nigerian Delegation”.
“The President’s response cracked up Obi, who agreed with the President. Obi said: “Yes, indeed. We are members of your delegation”. Peter Obi and Fayemi are staunch Catholics and Papal knights.”
Read: Photos – President Tinubu meets Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican
Read: Photos – Peter Obi and Kayode Fayemi at the inauguration of Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican
