Former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi denies meeting with Tinubu in Rome, pushing back against reports that claimed he secretly met with President Bola Tinubu over financial issues related to Fidelity Bank. The report, published by Sahara Reporters, alleged that Obi’s recent trip to Rome was politically motivated and connected to an ongoing ₦225 billion debt crisis facing Fidelity Bank.
According to the report, sources alleged that Obi had held meetings with several Nigerian political figures—including Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the Ooni of Ife, former Governors Ayodele Fayose and Kayode Fayemi—before travelling to Rome, where he was supposedly trying to persuade President Tinubu to intervene and help protect the bank from bankruptcy. Fayemi was even said to have accompanied him on the trip.
The Presidency, however, reportedly refused any private discussions and insisted that all interactions with the President must be held publicly.
A photo from the event showed Peter Obi, Fayemi, and President Tinubu sharing a light moment during the inauguration of Pope Leo XIV in Rome, which fuelled the rumour mill.
Responding on Thursday via a tweet, Peter Obi denied meeting with Tinubu, calling the entire allegation part of a broader “blackmail campaign” targeted at him. He noted that propaganda against him had become widespread and profitable for those seeking to harm his reputation.
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“It’s obvious that the biggest business for blackmailers now is talking about Peter Obi from every negative perspective. Even my solemn spiritual trip to Rome has been twisted into yet another blackmail campaign,” Obi wrote.
He firmly dismissed the story that he met with Tinubu privately, stating: “Let me categorically state that I have never sought an audience with, nor met, President Tinubu since he assumed office—except for a brief 1-minute meeting at Saint Peter’s Basilica in Rome during the inauguration Mass of Pope Leo XIV. I greeted him and other dignitaries respectfully. That was all.”
Obi clarified that he had travelled to Rome on May 9, 2025, for what he claimed was the lying-in-state of Pope Francis. However, reports by The Guardian pointed out that the event took place earlier, on April 23, with Pope Francis’ funeral held on April 26. The papal conclave that elected Pope Leo XIV began on May 7, with the new pope inaugurated on May 18—raising questions about Obi’s timeline.
Still, Peter Obi denies meeting with Tinubu under any covert political motive and also dismissed claims that he owns Fidelity Bank. He explained that while he had previously served as Chairman or Director at three financial institutions, including Fidelity Bank, he never held a majority stake.
“The self-proclaimed ‘blackmailer-in-chief’ and others have falsely claimed I own Fidelity Bank. For the record, I do not. Fidelity has over 500,000 shareholders, and none holds a majority stake. What these blackmailers seek is to hurt hard-working Nigerians who trust the institution,” he said.
Obi ended his statement with a reflective prayer, saying: “May God grant those spreading these lies the virtues of gratitude and understanding, to know that we came into this world with nothing and will leave with nothing. They will not profit from their evil ways.”
With Peter Obi denying meeting with Tinubu and rejecting ownership of Fidelity Bank, his response seeks to calm growing speculation over the nature of his international travels and business ties, particularly as political interests begin to shape narratives ahead of the 2027 elections.
