Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 general elections, has returned from a reflective visit to the Vatican, where he attended the recent inauguration ceremony held by the Holy See. In a statement on Monday via X, Obi clarified that his participation in the ceremony was not political and should not be interpreted through that lens.
He described the trip as “deeply solemn and reflective” and emphasized that such occasions carry profound moral and spiritual significance. Obi stated, “This was never a political event and should remain untouched by politics. Some moments are best reserved for quiet contemplation.”
Obi noted that he did not attend the Papal Audience, which is reserved for heads of state and accredited diplomats, and he did not meet Pope Francis personally. He highlighted the importance of the Pope’s homily, which called for a fight against poverty and the promotion of brotherhood beyond ethnic, political, and religious divides.
He urged that the deeper value of the gathering lies not in ceremonial participation but in the attendees’ willingness to act on the Pope’s message. “The fight against corruption is the essential first step toward building societies where resources are directed to what truly matters—education, healthcare, poverty alleviation, and infrastructure,” Obi stated.
Obi concluded by calling on Nigerians in positions of authority to commit to building a more just, compassionate, and prosperous nation. His comments came after a brief encounter with President Bola Tinubu and former Ekiti State Governor Dr. Kayode Fayemi at the installation mass of Pope Leo XIV, which garnered attention on social media.
