Former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has strongly denied allegations that he held a secret meeting with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in Rome over a purported ₦225 billion debt crisis involving Fidelity Bank.
In a statement shared on his official X account, Obi described the claims as “false, malicious, and baseless,” accusing paid blackmailers of deliberately twisting his spiritual trip to the Vatican for personal attacks.
Obi clarified that his visit to Rome was solely to attend the lying-in-state of the late Pope Francis and the inauguration of Pope Leo XIV. He noted that the only interaction he had with President Tinubu was a brief, one-minute greeting at the Vatican, where both leaders were among dignitaries at Saint Peter’s Basilica.
“It’s obvious that the biggest business for blackmailers now is talking about Peter Obi from every negative perspective,” Obi stated. “Even my solemn spiritual trip to Rome has been twisted into yet another blackmail campaign by merchants paid ostensibly to propagate anything negative against me.”
He also dismissed claims that he owns Fidelity Bank, stating that while he had previously served as Chairman or Director of three financial institutions, including Fidelity Bank, he is not an owner. He emphasized that Fidelity Bank is owned by over 500,000 shareholders, none of whom hold a majority stake.
Obi concluded with a message to those behind the alleged smear campaign, saying: “May God grant you the virtues of gratitude and understanding to know that we came here with nothing and will go with nothing, that they cannot profit from their evil ways. A new Nigeria is POssible.”
The statement comes amid ongoing social media speculation and political commentary surrounding Obi’s movements and perceived affiliations.
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