Peter Obi Breaks Silence on Alleged Private Meeting with Tinubu in Rome Over Fidelity Bank

Former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi has strongly refuted claims that he held a private meeting with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in Rome concerning an alleged ₦225 billion debt crisis linked to Fidelity Bank. Describing the allegations as false, malicious, and baseless, Obi accused what he called “paid blackmailers” of launching coordinated efforts to tarnish his image.

In a statement posted on X, Obi clarified that his recent trip to Rome was purely for spiritual purposes. He explained that he attended the lying-in-state of the late Pope Francis on May 9, followed by the inauguration of Pope Leo XIV. He denied any formal engagement with President Tinubu, apart from a brief moment at St. Peter’s Basilica where he greeted the President and other dignitaries in a public setting.

Obi criticized what he described as a growing trend of targeted blackmail against him. “Even my solemn spiritual trip to Rome has been twisted into yet another blackmail campaign by merchants paid ostensibly to propagate anything negative against Obi,” he said.

He also rejected claims that he owns Fidelity Bank, stating that while he previously served as Chairman and Director at three financial institutions, including Fidelity Bank, he does not hold any ownership stake. He emphasized that Fidelity Bank is owned by over 500,000 shareholders, none with a majority stake, and warned that falsehoods like these only serve to distress hardworking Nigerians.

Addressing his accusers directly, Obi said, “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.”