BREAKING:Peter Obi Denounces Blackmail Campaign, Debunks Allegations of Secret Meeting with Tinubu

…Says He Never Met President Privately, Describes Claims as Baseless and Malicious

Former presidential candidate and Labour Party leader, Mr. Peter Obi, has strongly refuted recent claims circulating online that he met with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in Rome over a purported ₦225 billion debt crisis involving Fidelity Bank.

Obi, in a statement issued on Thursday, described the allegations as part of a wider blackmail campaign orchestrated by individuals he called “merchants of falsehood” who are determined to tarnish his image.

"It’s obvious that the biggest business for blackmailers now is talking about Peter Obi from every negative perspective,” he said. “Even my solemn spiritual trip to Rome has been twisted into yet another blackmail campaign.”

Setting the record straight, Obi explained that his recent trip to Vatican City was purely for spiritual reasons, attending the lying-in-state of Pope Francis and the inauguration Mass of Pope Leo XIV. He noted that during the Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica, he briefly greeted President Tinubu and other dignitaries — a moment he described as no more than a courteous exchange lasting about one minute.

"Let me categorically state that I have never sought an audience with, nor met, President Tinubu since he assumed office, except for a brief greeting at the Vatican,” he emphasized.

Obi said he departed for London immediately after the religious event, before returning to Nigeria, making any suggestion of a private political meeting not only false but logistically impossible.

Addressing another accusation—that he owns Fidelity Bank—Obi called the claim completely unfounded, clarifying that while he once served as Chairman/Director at the bank, he does not own it, nor does any individual hold a majority stake in the institution.

"Fidelity has over 500,000 shareholders. What this blackmailer seeks is to harm these hard-working Nigerians and cause them needless distress,” Obi said.

In his closing remarks, Obi urged those behind the smear campaigns to embrace gratitude and humility, reminding them of life’s transience and the futility of profiting from deceit.

"We came here with nothing and will go with nothing. A new Nigeria is possible,” he concluded.

Obi’s response comes amid increased scrutiny and politically charged misinformation online, particularly targeting high-profile figures ahead of potential political realignments in the coming years.