Peter Obi Denies Seeking Audience with Tinubu Over Alleged N225bn Fidelity Bank Debt Crisis

Former Presidential Candidate Clarifies Vatican Meeting with President

Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 elections, has firmly denied reports that he sought a private meeting with President Bola Tinubu regarding an alleged N225 billion debt crisis involving Fidelity Bank.

The clarification comes after viral images showed Obi, former Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi, and President Tinubu attending the Pope’s installation mass in Rome. Some online reports had suggested the meeting was related to banking matters.

Obi’s Official Statement

In a statement posted on his X (formerly Twitter) account, Obi described the claims as “baseless, malicious, and entirely false.” He explained:

“I have never sought an audience with, nor met, President Tinubu since he assumed office, except about 1 minute meeting at the arena of Saint Peter’s Basilica Rome during the inauguration Mass of Pope Leo XIV.”

The former Anambra governor emphasized that after the brief exchange of pleasantries at the Vatican event, he traveled directly to London before returning to Nigeria.

Addressing the Fidelity Bank Allegations

Obi also refuted claims that he owns Fidelity Bank, stating:

“Fidelity has over 500,000 shareholders, none of whom hold a majority stake. What these blackmailers seek is to harm these hard-working Nigerians and cause them needless distress.”

While acknowledging his past role as Chairman/Director of three financial institutions including Fidelity Bank, Obi stressed that he holds no controlling interest in the bank.

Response to Critics

The former presidential candidate criticized what he called “merchants paid ostensibly to propagate anything negative” against him, adding:

“To those peddling these falsehoods and engaging in blackmail, I offer a simple prayer: May God grant you the virtues of gratitude and understanding.”

Obi maintained that the Rome trip was purely spiritual, having previously visited in May for the lying in state of Pope Francis.

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