‘I’m head of the Nigerian delegation’, Tinubu tells Peter Obi at Vatican
Abdullateef Fowewe
In a rare and delightful moment of unity, President Bola Tinubu, Labour Party’s Peter Obi, and former Ekiti Governor Kayode Fayemi crossed paths at Pope Leo XIV’s installation mass at the Vatican on Sunday.
According to Tinubu’s spokesman, Bayo Onaguga, what started as a formal homage quickly turned into a lighthearted exchange that had everyone chuckling.
Fayemi spotted Tinubu seated among other dignitaries and invited Obi to join him in paying respects.
Breaking the ice, Fayemi greeted the President warmly, “Mr. President, welcome to our church, and thank you for honouring the Pope with your presence.”
Tinubu, never missing a beat, quipped back with a grin, “I should be the one welcoming you and Peter. I’m the Head of the Nigerian Delegation.”
The witty retort cracked up Obi, who happily chimed in, “Yes, indeed. We are members of your delegation.”
The friendly banter between these political heavyweights, all devout Catholics and Papal knights, brought a refreshing moment of camaraderie amidst the grandeur of the Vatican ceremony.
