Peter Obi Explains Why He, Seyi Tinubu Didn’t Meet Pope

Without giving fodder to social media rumours concerning Seyi Tinubu, 2023 presidential candidate of Labour Party, Peter Obi has addressed the online buzz surrounding his absence from the list of dignitaries who personally greeted Pope Leo XIV during the pontiff’s inauguration mass at the Vatican.

GWG.ng reports that social media has been abuzz with the fact that Peter Obi and the president’s son, Seyi Tinubu did not have the opportunity to personally greet Pope Leo XIV at his inauguration at the Vatican last Sunday.

The solemn event, held in St. Peter’s Basilica, attracted world leaders, including Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu, who was among the select few granted a personal audience with the newly installed Pope. However, the absence of Obi—an openly devout Catholic—from that privileged circle raised eyebrows and became fodder for social media commentary.

Critics were quick to mock the situation, pointing out the irony that a Muslim leader like President Tinubu met the Pope, while a prominent Catholic figure such as Obi did not.

In a statement posted on his social media platforms, Obi offered a calm and thoughtful explanation, noting that only sitting heads of state and officially accredited diplomats were permitted to participate in the Papal Audience segment of the event.

“I was neither a head of state nor an accredited envoy, so I was not part of that private reception,” Obi clarified.

He went on to emphasize that his presence at the Vatican was not motivated by politics or photo opportunities but was instead a personal spiritual journey.

“My visit was meant to be solemn and reflective. The Pope’s message urging global leaders to confront poverty, fight corruption, and build bridges across ethnic and religious divides deeply resonated with me,” Obi said.

He urged Nigerians to focus on those core messages rather than the optics of who got a handshake or a photo with the Pope.

Adding to the intrigue of Obi not meeting the pope at the inauguration was the video of Seyi Tinubu, being subtly stopped by Vatican security when he attempted to approach the Pontiff, thus proving Obis claim that only accredited officials were allowed. While President Tinubu received a warm welcome, Seyi’s restriction reignited debates over the growing influence of presidential family members in official affairs.

As the dust settles, Obi’s response has been widely praised for its maturity and focus on the deeper message of the occasion, shifting the narrative from political optics to the moral responsibility of leadership.
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