This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . The next check for changes will be

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cjdzxjx175yo

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Peter Obi jokes with President Bola Tinubu at Pope Leo XIV’s inaugural mass Tinubu in Rome: Nigeria's president jokes with opposition rival Peter Obi at Pope Leo XIV’s inaugural mass
(about 20 hours later)
President Tinubu (right) and Peter Obi (second left) fought a closely contested presidential election in 2023, while Kayode Fayemi (left) backed TinubuPresident Tinubu (right) and Peter Obi (second left) fought a closely contested presidential election in 2023, while Kayode Fayemi (left) backed Tinubu
Fierce Nigerian political rivals Peter Obi and President Bola Tinubu were seen laughing and joking at Pope Leo XIV's inaugural mass in Rome.Fierce Nigerian political rivals Peter Obi and President Bola Tinubu were seen laughing and joking at Pope Leo XIV's inaugural mass in Rome.
Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress defeated Obi of the Labour Party in the heated and tightly contested 2023 presidential election - a victory Obi challenged at the Supreme Court without success.Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress defeated Obi of the Labour Party in the heated and tightly contested 2023 presidential election - a victory Obi challenged at the Supreme Court without success.
The pair's supporters have expressed bitter rivalry towards each other over the years, both on social media and on the streets, with some physical clashes occurring prior to the elections.The pair's supporters have expressed bitter rivalry towards each other over the years, both on social media and on the streets, with some physical clashes occurring prior to the elections.
Tinubu and Obi are expected to go head-to-head again in less than two years' time as Nigeria prepares for another election in 2027.Tinubu and Obi are expected to go head-to-head again in less than two years' time as Nigeria prepares for another election in 2027.
Photos of the meeting were shared by presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga on social media, who recounted what transpired when Obi and a former governor greeted the Nigerian president after seeing him at the event.Photos of the meeting were shared by presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga on social media, who recounted what transpired when Obi and a former governor greeted the Nigerian president after seeing him at the event.
"Mr President, welcome to our church, and thank you for honouring the Pope with your presence," said former Ekiti state governor Kayode Fayemi."Mr President, welcome to our church, and thank you for honouring the Pope with your presence," said former Ekiti state governor Kayode Fayemi.
Both Obi and Fayemi are Catholics, while Tinubu is Muslim.Both Obi and Fayemi are Catholics, while Tinubu is Muslim.
However, President Tinubu responded: "I should be the one welcoming you and Peter. I'm the head of the Nigerian delegation."However, President Tinubu responded: "I should be the one welcoming you and Peter. I'm the head of the Nigerian delegation."
The president's response elicited laughter from Obi, who agreed.The president's response elicited laughter from Obi, who agreed.
"Yes, indeed. We are members of your delegation," Obi said."Yes, indeed. We are members of your delegation," Obi said.
Despite the memorable encounter, Obi did not mention it in his long post on X about his visit to the Vatican.Despite the memorable encounter, Obi did not mention it in his long post on X about his visit to the Vatican.
Alkassim Hussain, a member of Nigeria's House of Representatives, told the BBC that the light-hearted meeting was good for the country's politics and should help reduce tension.Alkassim Hussain, a member of Nigeria's House of Representatives, told the BBC that the light-hearted meeting was good for the country's politics and should help reduce tension.
"They portrayed a good image of the country and that's how politics should be played - without bitterness."They portrayed a good image of the country and that's how politics should be played - without bitterness.
"I hope supporters of both Tinubu and Obi can see that after elections and court cases, then it is all about the country and how everyone can join hands together to grow it," he noted."I hope supporters of both Tinubu and Obi can see that after elections and court cases, then it is all about the country and how everyone can join hands together to grow it," he noted.
Tinubu won the 2023 elections after the opposition was split between the Labour Party and the Peoples Democratic Party.Tinubu won the 2023 elections after the opposition was split between the Labour Party and the Peoples Democratic Party.
There is speculation that the two parties could form a coalition in 2027 to challenge Tinubu, who is expected to seek a second term.There is speculation that the two parties could form a coalition in 2027 to challenge Tinubu, who is expected to seek a second term.
Elections are often marred by violence in Nigeria, with hundreds of people losing their lives since the country's return to democracy in 1999.Elections are often marred by violence in Nigeria, with hundreds of people losing their lives since the country's return to democracy in 1999.
You may also be interested in:You may also be interested in:
Blank questions, power cuts and a suicide: Nigeria's exams fiascoBlank questions, power cuts and a suicide: Nigeria's exams fiasco
'I screamed': Nigerian Doctor Who fan thrilled show is coming to Lagos'I screamed': Nigerian Doctor Who fan thrilled show is coming to Lagos
Nigerians fear savings lost as investment app freezes them outNigerians fear savings lost as investment app freezes them out
Go to BBCAfrica.com for more news from the African continent.Go to BBCAfrica.com for more news from the African continent.
Follow us on Twitter @BBCAfrica, on Facebook at BBC Africa or on Instagram at bbcafricaFollow us on Twitter @BBCAfrica, on Facebook at BBC Africa or on Instagram at bbcafrica