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Lagos, Nigeria – 22 May 2025 – Peter Obi, former Governor of Anambra State and prominent Nigerian politician, has publicly condemned what he describes as a malicious blackmail campaign targeting him. In a statement posted on X today, Obi addressed false claims surrounding his recent spiritual trip to Rome, accusing detractors of twisting the visit into a baseless narrative for political gain.

Obi clarified that his trip to Rome was solely for spiritual purposes, including attending the lying-in-state of Pope Francis on 9 May and the inauguration Mass of Pope Leo XIV. He categorically denied allegations that he travelled to Rome for a private meeting with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to discuss a supposed ₦225 billion debt crisis involving Fidelity Bank. “These claims are not only baseless, malicious, but entirely false,” Obi stated.

The politician revealed that his only interaction with President Tinubu was a brief, respectful greeting lasting “about one minute” at Saint Peter’s Basilica during the papal inauguration, where he was seated behind the president. Obi further noted that after the Mass, he travelled directly from Vatican City to London before returning to Nigeria.

Addressing another falsehood, Obi refuted claims that he owns Fidelity Bank. He explained that he has served as Chairman or Director of three financial institutions, including Fidelity, which has over 500,000 shareholders with no single majority stakeholder. Obi accused those spreading these claims of attempting to harm the bank’s shareholders and cause distress to ordinary Nigerians.

In a pointed rebuke, Obi labelled one of his detractors a “self-proclaimed blackmailer-in-chief” whose career revolves around spreading falsehoods. He urged those engaging in such tactics to reflect on their actions, offering a prayer that they find gratitude and understanding. “We came here with nothing and will go with nothing,” he wrote, condemning their efforts to profit from falsehoods.