Mr. Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the last election, has denied allegations by Sahara Repoters that he travelled to Rome to hold a secret meeting with President Bola Tinubu concerning a N225 billion debt linked to Fidelity Bank.
In a statement issued on Thursday, Obi dismissed the claims as a smear campaign designed to damage his public image.
“The biggest business for blackmailers now is to speak about Peter Obi from every negative angle,” he stated.
“Even my solemn spiritual trip to Rome has been twisted into yet another blackmail plot by hired agents spreading falsehoods.”
Sahara Reporters reported on Tuesday that Obi met privately with Tinubu in Rome to seek help over a financial scandal involving Fidelity Bank, where he once served as a board member.
The former Anambra State governor, however, categorically denied any such meeting.
“I have never sought or held any private audience with President Tinubu since he assumed office,” Obi clarified.
“The only time I saw him was during the inauguration Mass of Pope Leo XIV at Saint Peter’s Basilica in Rome, where I exchanged a brief, respectful greeting as we were seated in the same area with other dignitaries.”
While addressing the rumours surrounding his connection to Fidelity Bank, Obi stressed that he does not own the institution.
“Contrary to the lies being peddled, I do not own Fidelity Bank,” he said. “I have served as Chairman or Director in three different banks and financial institutions, including Fidelity, which has over 500,000 shareholders, none holding a majority stake.”
Obi accused political opponents and so-called “blackmailers” of intentionally spreading misinformation to discredit him and cause unnecessary tension among Nigerians.