President Bola Tinubu and Labour Party leader Peter Obi were seen sharing a rare light-hearted exchange at the inaugural mass of Pope Leo XIV in Rome, offering a surprising contrast to their long-standing political rivalry.

Both men contested Nigeria’s fiercely disputed 2023 presidential election, with Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress emerging victorious. Obi, who came third, challenged the result up to the Supreme Court without success. Their supporters have often clashed, both online and physically, underscoring the deep divisions in Nigeria’s political landscape.

However, the atmosphere in Rome was notably different. Accompanied by former Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi, Obi approached Tinubu after spotting him at the Vatican event.

“Mr President, welcome to our church, and thank you for honouring the Pope with your presence,” Fayemi, a Catholic, said, according to the BBC.

Tinubu, a Muslim, replied humorously: “I should be the one welcoming you and Peter. I’m the head of the Nigerian delegation.”
Obi responded with laughter, saying, “Yes, indeed. We are members of your delegation.”

The moment, shared online by presidential aide Bayo Onanuga, sparked conversation about its symbolism in Nigeria’s tense political environment. Notably, Obi did not mention the encounter in his lengthy post about the Vatican trip on X.

Alkassim Hussain, a member of the House of Representatives, welcomed the development.

“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, it is all about the country,” the BBC quoted Hussain as saying.

Nigeria’s next general election is set for 2027, and speculation continues about a possible coalition between the Labour Party and the Peoples Democratic Party to unseat Tinubu, who is expected to run for a second term.

While elections in Nigeria have often been fraught with violence since the return to democracy in 1999, moments like this suggest a possibility of more mature political engagement.