Peter Obi, former governor of Anambra State and 2023 presidential candidate, has vehemently denied circulating rumors suggesting he traveled to the Vatican to meet with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu regarding a purported ₦225 billion debt involving Fidelity Bank.
In a statement shared on his social media platforms, Obi described the allegations as "baseless, malicious, and entirely false," attributing them to "blackmailers" intent on tarnishing his reputation.
Obi clarified that his recent visit to Rome was a spiritual pilgrimage to attend the lying-in-state of Pope Francis at St. Peter’s Basilica on May 9. He emphasized that the only interaction with President Tinubu occurred during the inauguration Mass of Pope Leo XIV, where he briefly greeted the president among other dignitaries.
Addressing the claim that he owns Fidelity Bank, Obi stated, "I do not own Fidelity Bank. Throughout my career, I have served as Chairman/Director of 3 banks/Financial institutions, of which Fidelity is one of them." He further noted that Fidelity Bank has over 500,000 shareholders, none of whom hold a majority stake.
The rumors were further fueled by a doctored photograph circulating on social media, depicting Obi and Tinubu in a handshake. Fact-checking organizations, including TheCable, have confirmed that the image was manipulated, originally showing Tinubu with business mogul Aliko Dangote.
Obi concluded his statement with a call for integrity, stating, "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."
The spread of such misinformation has raised concerns about the challenges public figures face in the digital age, where fake news can quickly gain traction. Obi's response underscores the importance of verifying information before dissemination to prevent the harm caused by false narratives.
