By Kolawole Ojebisi
Presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 general elections, Peter Obi, has cautioned Nigerians against reading political meaning into his visit to the Vatican where he attended the recent inauguration ceremony held by the Holy See.
Obi, who described the visit as “deeply solemn and reflective”, urged Nigerians to rather ponder and dwell on the profundities inherent in the inaugural homily of Pope Leo XIV on Sunday.
This is contained in a statement posted on Obi’s verified X account on Monday. “I have just returned from the Vatican, and it was a deeply solemn and reflective visit. My participation in the inauguration ceremony was in line with my previous witnessing of inaugurations, swearing-ins, and official ceremonies across the world — this was no exception,” he said.
He added, “Such occasions carry profound moral and spiritual significance. This was never a political event and should remain untouched by politics. Some moments are best reserved for quiet contemplation.”
Clarifying while he did not attend the Papal Audience to meet Pope Leo, the former Anambra governor explained that the audience was reserved for heads of state and accredited diplomats.
“What should truly command our attention, however, is the content and moral force contained in the Pope’s homily,” Obi said, referring to the Pope’s call to fight poverty and promote a spirit of brotherhood beyond ethnic, political, and religious divides.
He stressed that people should not allow the deeper value of the gathering be lost in its attendant pomp and circumstance.
“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. These should be our major concern and the lasting message we carry home from the Vatican,” Obi stated.
Recall that earlier on Sunday, President Bola Tinubu, Obi, and a former Ekiti State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi, met briefly at the installation mass of Pope Leo XIV.
The encounter, which drew attention on social media after it was shared by presidential aide Bayo Onanuga on X, took place during the religious ceremony attended by dignitaries from around the world.
