Baseless, Malicious and entirely false – Obi Refutes Claim on Tinubu Meeting Snub

On May 21, 2025, Sahara Reporters, an online news platform founded by Omoyele Sowore, published a claim that Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, was barred from attending a private meeting with President Bola Tinubu in Rome. The report alleged that Obi was blocked due to unresolved issues connected to a ₦225 billion matter involving Fidelity Bank, where he previously served as chairman.

The claim implied that Obi had attempted to gain access to a high-profile meeting attended by President Tinubu but was turned away due to alleged financial concerns.

In response, Obi took to his verified X account to deny the report. He stated that he was not in Rome and had no plans to be there. He described the story as completely false and malicious, aimed at tarnishing his image and misleading the public.

“One such individual, whose entire life revolves around blackmail, falsely claimed that I went to Rome to have a private meeting with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu regarding a purported ₦225 billion debt crisis involving Fidelity Bank. These claims are not only baseless, malicious, but entirely false,” Obi posted.

Let me categorically state that 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, where I was seated behind, and had to respectfully greet him, and other dignitaries present.

Obi condemned what he described as a pattern of misinformation targeting him and called on media outlets to uphold the principles of ethical journalism.

He prayed for those peddling these falsehoods and engaging in blackmail: “May God grant you the virtues of gratitude and understanding to know that we came here with nothing and that they cannot profit from their evil ways.”

This latest controversy has reignited public debate over the credibility and accountability of digital media platforms in Nigeria.

However, Obi’s rebuttal raises questions about the balance between investigative reporting and responsible journalism in the era of fast-moving digital news.

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