Nigeria’s fierce political rivals share joke at pope’s inaugural mass

In a surprising and heartening display of unity, Nigerian President Bola Tinubu and his political rival Peter Obi were seen laughing and sharing a light moment during the inaugural mass of Pope Leo XIV in Rome. The unexpected camaraderie between the two leaders—who were at the center of Nigeria’s fiercely contested 2023 presidential elections—has sparked a wave of reactions among citizens and political observers alike.

The mass, held at the Vatican, brought together dignitaries and religious leaders from across the globe. Among the Nigerian delegation were President Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Peter Obi of the Labour Party (LP), and former Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi. Photos from the event, circulated widely on social media by presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga, showed the moment Obi and Fayemi approached Tinubu and exchanged pleasantries.

“Mr. President, welcome to our church, and thank you for honouring the Pope with your presence,” Fayemi, a Catholic like Obi, said in a respectful tone.

President Tinubu, a Muslim, responded with a smile, “I should be the one welcoming you and Peter. I’m the head of the Nigerian delegation.” The witty remark prompted laughter from Obi, who replied in agreement: “Yes, indeed. We are members of your delegation.”

While the encounter was light-hearted and seemingly sincere, Obi did not reference the exchange in his detailed post on X (formerly Twitter) about his Vatican visit. Nevertheless, the moment was captured by photographers and has been widely interpreted as a gesture of maturity and mutual respect.

The significance of the interaction lies in its contrast with the intense rivalry that characterized the 2023 elections. Tinubu’s victory over Obi, which was disputed at Nigeria’s Supreme Court, was met with widespread controversy and outrage among Obi’s supporters. The Labour Party leader had alleged electoral irregularities and pursued legal action to overturn the results, but the courts upheld Tinubu’s win.

Their rivalry extended far beyond the courtroom. Supporters of both politicians have clashed on social media and in physical altercations, with tensions escalating during and after the election season. In this context, their friendly exchange in Rome was welcomed by many as a symbolic gesture that could help cool political tempers back home.

Commenting on the encounter, Nigerian lawmaker Alkassim Hussain told the BBC that such public shows of reconciliation are healthy for democracy and national unity.

“They portrayed a good image of the country, and that’s how politics should be played—without bitterness,” Hussain said. “I hope supporters of both Tinubu and Obi can see that after elections and court cases, it is all about the country and how everyone can join hands together to grow it.”

Hussain’s sentiments reflect a broader public hope that Nigerian politics can evolve beyond the violence and hostility that have often marred its democratic processes. Since the return to civilian rule in 1999, elections in Nigeria have frequently been accompanied by deadly violence, with hundreds of lives lost in politically motivated clashes.

Looking ahead, both Tinubu and Obi are expected to feature prominently in the 2027 presidential elections. There is growing speculation that the Labour Party and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), which was also part of the opposition in 2023, could form a coalition to mount a stronger challenge to Tinubu’s expected re-election bid. Such a political alliance could dramatically reshape Nigeria’s electoral landscape.

For now, though, the image of two rivals sharing a joke at a solemn global religious ceremony offers a refreshing glimpse of civility in a nation where political divisions often run deep. Whether the moment will have a lasting impact on the behavior of their supporters or the tone of future political discourse remains to be seen.

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