Latest news with #PeterObi
Bloomberg
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Bloomberg
Nigeria's Ruling Party Backs Tinubu for Second Term as President
Nigeria's ruling All Progressives Congress party has endorsed President Bola Tinubu as its candidate for the 2027 election, after top opposition leaders agreed to unite ahead of the ballot. Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar of the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party, the Labour Party's Peter Obi and former minister Nasir El-Rufai of the Social Democratic Party agreed to join forces under the African Democratic Congress in the next election.
Zawya
22-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Nigeria: Fidelity Bank, Obi denies meeting Tinubu in Rome over alleged $141mln debt
Former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi has denied reports that he met with President Bola Tinubu in Rome to discuss an alleged ₦225 billion debt linked to Fidelity Bank. In a statement released on Thursday, Obi described the report as part of a blackmail campaign aimed at damaging his reputation. 'I have never sought an audience with, nor met, President Tinubu since he assumed office, except about 1 minute meeting at the arena of Saint Peter's Basilica Rome during the inauguration Mass of Pope Leo XIV, where I was seated behind, and had to respectfully greet him, and other dignitaries present,' Obi said. Obi also clarified his relationship with Fidelity Bank, stating that he does not own the bank. 'Throughout my career, I have served as Chairman/Director of 3 banks/Financial institutions, of which Fidelity is one of them. Fidelity has over 500,000 shareholders, none of whom hold a majority stake.' The former Governor of Anambra State attributed the negative reports to paid blackmailers seeking to harm his reputation and cause distress to Fidelity Bank's hardworking employees and shareholders. 'To those peddling these falsehoods, and engaging in blackmail, I offer a simple prayer: 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,' he concluded. Copyright © 2022 Nigerian Tribune Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Nigeria's fierce political rivals share joke at pope's inaugural mass
Fierce Nigerian political rivals Peter Obi and President Bola Tinubu were seen laughing and joking at Pope Leo XIV's inaugural mass in Rome. Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress defeated Obi of the Labour Party in the heated and tightly contested 2023 presidential election - a victory Obi challenged at the Supreme Court without success. The pair's supporters have expressed bitter rivalry towards each other over the years, both on social media and on the streets, with some physical clashes occurring prior to the elections. Tinubu and Obi are expected to go head-to-head again in less than two years' time as Nigeria prepares for another election in 2027. Photos of the meeting were shared by presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga on social media, who recounted what transpired when Obi and a former governor greeted the Nigerian president after seeing him at the event. "Mr President, welcome to our church, and thank you for honouring the Pope with your presence," said former Ekiti state governor Kayode Fayemi. Both Obi and Fayemi are Catholics, while Tinubu is Muslim. However, President Tinubu responded: "I should be the one welcoming you and Peter. I'm the head of the Nigerian delegation." The president's response elicited laughter from Obi, who agreed. "Yes, indeed. We are members of your delegation," Obi said. Despite the memorable encounter, Obi did not mention it in his long post on X about his visit to the Vatican. Alkassim Hussain, a member of Nigeria's House of Representatives, told the BBC that the light-hearted meeting was good for the country's politics and should help reduce tension. "They portrayed a good image of the country and that's how politics should be played - without bitterness. "I hope supporters of both Tinubu and Obi can see that after elections and court cases, then it is all about the country and how everyone can join hands together to grow it," he noted. Tinubu won the 2023 elections after the opposition was split between the Labour Party and the Peoples Democratic Party. There is speculation that the two parties could form a coalition in 2027 to challenge Tinubu, who is expected to seek a second term. Elections are often marred by violence in Nigeria, with hundreds of people losing their lives since the country's return to democracy in 1999. Blank questions, power cuts and a suicide: Nigeria's exams fiasco 'I screamed': Nigerian Doctor Who fan thrilled show is coming to Lagos Nigerians fear savings lost as investment app freezes them out Go to for more news from the African continent. Follow us on Twitter @BBCAfrica, on Facebook at BBC Africa or on Instagram at bbcafrica Africa Daily Focus on Africa
BBC News
19-05-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Peter Obi jokes with President Bola Tinubu at Pope Leo XIV's inaugural mass
Fierce Nigerian political rivals Peter Obi and President Bola Tinubu were seen laughing and joking at Pope Leo XIV's inaugural mass in of the All Progressives Congress defeated Obi of the Labour Party in the heated and tightly contested 2023 presidential election - a victory Obi challenged at the Supreme Court without pair's supporters have expressed bitter rivalry towards each other over the years, both on social media and on the streets, with some physical clashes occurring prior to the and Obi are expected to go head-to-head again in less than two years' time as Nigeria prepares for another election in 2027. Photos of the meeting were shared by presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga on social media, who recounted what transpired when Obi and a former governor greeted the Nigerian president after seeing him at the event."Mr President, welcome to our church, and thank you for honouring the Pope with your presence," said former Ekiti state governor Kayode Obi and Fayemi are Catholics, while Tinubu is President Tinubu responded: "I should be the one welcoming you and Peter. I'm the head of the Nigerian delegation."The president's response elicited laughter from Obi, who agreed."Yes, indeed. We are members of your delegation," Obi the memorable encounter, Obi did not mention it in his long post on X about his visit to the Hussain, a member of Nigeria's House of Representatives, told the BBC that the light-hearted meeting was good for the country's politics and should help reduce tension."They portrayed a good image of the country and that's how politics should be played - without bitterness."I hope supporters of both Tinubu and Obi can see that after elections and court cases, then it is all about the country and how everyone can join hands together to grow it," he won the 2023 elections after the opposition was split between the Labour Party and the Peoples Democratic is speculation that the two parties could form a coalition in 2027 to challenge Tinubu, who is expected to seek a second are often marred by violence in Nigeria, with hundreds of people losing their lives since the country's return to democracy in 1999. You may also be interested in: Blank questions, power cuts and a suicide: Nigeria's exams fiasco'I screamed': Nigerian Doctor Who fan thrilled show is coming to LagosNigerians fear savings lost as investment app freezes them out Go to for more news from the African us on Twitter @BBCAfrica, on Facebook at BBC Africa or on Instagram at bbcafrica
