Former Anambra State Governor and Labour Party presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, has strongly denied claims that he held a secret meeting with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in Rome over an alleged ₦225 billion debt crisis linked to Fidelity Bank.

In a statement released on Wednesday through his Facebook handle, Obi condemned what he described as a growing industry of blackmail and misinformation targeted at him. He expressed dismay that even his recent spiritual trip to Rome had been twisted into what he called “a new wave of calculated blackmail.”

“One individual, who has made blackmail a way of life, falsely alleged that I traveled to Rome for a private meeting with President Tinubu regarding a fictitious ₦225 billion debt involving Fidelity Bank. This is completely false, baseless, and malicious,” Obi said.

Obi clarified that he has not met with President Tinubu since the latter assumed office, except for a brief encounter lasting approximately one minute at the Saint Peter’s Basilica during the inauguration Mass of Pope Leo XIV, where he offered a courteous greeting alongside other dignitaries.

According to Obi, he was earlier in Rome on May 9th to attend the lying in state of Pope Francis. He stated that after the Mass and pleasantries, he traveled directly from Vatican City to London before returning to Nigeria.

Addressing further accusations, Obi also refuted claims that he owns Fidelity Bank. He explained that while he has served as Chairman or Director of three financial institutions in the past—including Fidelity—he holds no ownership in the bank. “Fidelity Bank has over 500,000 shareholders, and no single person owns a majority stake,” he noted, adding that spreading such misinformation only harms ordinary Nigerians who have invested in the institution.

To his detractors, Obi extended a spiritual message rather than condemnation. “I pray God grants them gratitude and understanding, to recognize that we brought nothing into this world and will leave with nothing. No one will profit from evil,” he said.

He concluded by reaffirming his vision for the country: “A new Nigeria is possible.”