Safiu Kehinde
The official inauguration of Pope Leo XIV as the new Catholic Pontiff has not only brought world leaders together but also united political rivals as President Bola Tinubu met with his 2023 Presidential election opponent, Peter Obi, and former Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi.
NPO Reports that Pope Leo had invited Tinubu for his inauguration mass held at Rome, Italy, on Sunday.
While the President met with the Pope at the event, he also met with Obi and Fayemi as disclosed in a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
According to the statement, Fayemi sighted Tinubu, where he sat with other leaders and asked Obi to follow him to pay homage to the Nigerian leader. Obi agreed.
On getting to the President, Fayemi, according to Onanuga, broke the ice between Obi and Tinubu.
“Mr. President, welcome to our church, and thank you for honouring the Pope with your presence.” He said.
President Tinubu, ever quick-witted, responded: “I should be the one welcoming you and Peter. I’m the Head of the Nigerian Delegation”.
The President’s response cracked up Obi, who agreed with the President.
“Yes, indeed. We are members of your delegation”. The 2023 Labour Party’s Presidential candidate said.
Peter Obi and Fayemi are staunch Catholics and Papal knights.