Obi’s meeting with Tinubu in Rome: What really transpired

DDM News

In a bid to quell widespread speculations, Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu Ojukwu, has shed light on the controversial meeting between President Bola Tinubu and former Labour Party presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, at the Vatican.

Diaspora Digital Media (DDM) reports that the encounter took place during the papal installation mass of Pope Leo XIV at St. Peter’s Basilica, an event attended by dignitaries from across the globe, including Nigerian politicians and clergy.

In a detailed Facebook post titled “The Inside Story: How It All Went Down In Rome”, Bianca recounted the sequence of events, stating that the meeting was nothing more than a brief, respectful greeting.

According to her, the President had already taken his seat when she noticed Peter Obi and former Ekiti State Governor, Kayode Fayemi.

After exchanging pleasantries, she said both men decided to follow her in order to pay their respects to the President.

She described President Tinubu as warm and humorous, receiving both men graciously before they returned to their seats.

Bianca emphasized that the meeting should not have ignited such a storm on social media

She criticized Nigerians for politicizing and ethnicizing a simple act of courtesy rooted in African tradition.

She described the uproar as turning “a mini molehill into a giant mountain,” and called for calm.

She referenced a previous experience during Pope Francis’ funeral mass when disorderly behavior was rebuked by Vatican officials.

She said the Nigerian delegation kept things “nice and orderly” this time around.

Bianca highlighted the egalitarian nature of the Vatican mass, where everyone, regardless of status, sat under the scorching sun without special privileges.

She recounted an incident during the mass where a man fainted, and Seyi Tinubu quickly assisted him with water while awaiting medical help.

She praised the attendees for focusing on helping the man instead of recording the incident for social media attention.

Bianca also commended President Tinubu’s stamina and humility during the lengthy mass, noting that he declined offers for a sunshade.

After the ceremony, she said he took time to greet and take selfies with Nigerian priests and seminarians, despite advice from aides to rest.

She noted that many Nigerians were pleasantly surprised to see the President in a Western-style power suit, calling him “dapper and debonair.”

She emphasized the symbolic importance of a Muslim leader attending a historic Catholic mass at St. Peter’s Basilica.

She described it as a strong message of peaceful religious coexistence and unity.

She closed her post by expressing pride in having captured the moment on her phone, as media access was limited.

She signed off with “Veni, Vidi,” expressing her gratitude for witnessing such a profound occasion.

Her clarification comes amid Nigeria’s tense political climate, where simple gestures are often misinterpreted along party and ethnic lines.

She urged Nigerians to view such diplomatic moments as opportunities for unity, not division.

Diaspora Digital Media (DDM) will continue to provide updates as reactions unfold.

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