Former Aviation Minister, Femi Fani-Kayode, has reacted to a viral video that purportedly shows Labour Party’s former presidential candidate, Peter Obi, being denied access by Vatican security during the inauguration ceremony of Pope Leo XIV.
In the trending footage, Obi is seen with Cardinal Francis Arinze engaging a Vatican security official, while other dignitaries were being escorted into the VVIP section of the event.
According to circulating reports, Obi, the former Governor of Anambra State, was stopped due to his inability to present the necessary invitation pass.
Taking to his X (formerly Twitter) handle, Fani-Kayode mocked the incident, saying Obi was “beautifully bounced” until President Bola Tinubu intervened on his behalf.
“Despite Cardinal Arinze’s noble efforts, it appears that @PeterObi was not allowed in to see the Pope,” he posted.
“He was beautifully bounced until @officialABAT put in a word for him and he was later allowed in to pay homage.”
He went on to allege that even after the intervention, Obi was still kept away from the Pope.
“Obi was not allowed anywhere near the Pope and instead went and paid homage to our President,” Fani-Kayode stated.
Addressing Obi’s supporters, he concluded, “Obidients take note: only go where you are accepted and appreciated and not where you are tolerated.”