There was a moment of unexpected drama at the Vatican on Sunday, May 18, 2025, as Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, was denied entry into the VVIP section during the inauguration ceremony of Pope Leo XIV.
The high-profile event, held in Rome, drew an array of global dignitaries including Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, U.S. Vice President JD Vance, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, and Portugal’s President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa.
A viral video from the event captured the awkward moment when Obi—who is a Papal Knight of the Order of St. Sylvester—was stopped by security personnel from accessing the exclusive area. Despite being in the company of Cardinal Francis Arinze, security officers stood firm, redirecting him to use an alternate entrance and insisting he did not have the proper accreditation for the VVIP section.
Also affected by the restriction was former Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi, who was seen alongside Obi but was likewise turned away.
In response to the incident, Peter Obi took to X (formerly Twitter) on Monday to reflect on the trip, emphasizing that his visit to the Vatican was strictly spiritual and not political.
“I have just returned from the Vatican, and it was a deeply solemn and reflective visit. My participation in the inauguration ceremony was in line with my previous witnessing of inaugurations, swearing-ins, and official ceremonies across the world — this was no exception,” he wrote.
Obi clarified that he did not attend the Papal Audience—a session reserved strictly for heads of state and accredited diplomats—and thus did not have a personal meeting with Pope Francis.
“This was never a political event and should remain untouched by politics. Some moments are best reserved for quiet contemplation,” he stated.
WATCH:
Trending Video of the Moment Peter Obi and Kayode Fayemi Were Denied Entry Into the Venue for the Pope’s Inauguration pic.twitter.com/17ntzsXaYA
— News Region (@irnewsregion) May 19, 2025
He further highlighted the moral and spiritual significance of the Pope’s homily, urging Nigerians to focus on the substance of the message, which emphasized fighting poverty, unity across divisions, and ethical governance.
“The fight against corruption is the essential first step toward building societies where resources are directed to what truly matters — education, healthcare, poverty alleviation, and infrastructure,” Obi added.
Concluding his remarks, Obi called on leaders to embrace the Pope’s message by committing to building a just, compassionate, and prosperous Nigeria.
The incident has sparked widespread debate online, with many questioning the protocol behind the exclusion and others praising Obi’s composed and reflective response.
