Former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has strongly denied allegations of having a private meeting with President Bola Tinubu in Rome, describing the claims as part of a coordinated blackmail campaign against him.

In a statement released on his X (formerly Twitter) account, Obi addressed rumors that he traveled to Rome to discuss an alleged ₦225 billion debt crisis involving Fidelity Bank with President Tinubu.

"It's obvious that the biggest business for blackmailers now is talking about Peter Obi from every negative perspective," Obi stated. "Even my solemn spiritual trip to Rome has been twisted into yet another blackmail campaign by merchants paid ostensibly to propagate anything negative against Obi."

Obi clarified that he was in Rome on May 9 for the lying in state of Pope Francis and later for the inauguration Mass of Pope Leo XIV. He acknowledged briefly greeting President Tinubu during the inauguration ceremony where he was seated behind the President, but emphasized this was merely a respectful exchange of pleasantries lasting about one minute.

"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," Obi explained.

The former presidential candidate also addressed allegations regarding his connection to Fidelity Bank. "The self-proclaimed 'blackmailer-in-chief' and others who thrive on spreading pain and falsehoods have also claimed that I own Fidelity Bank. For the record, I do not," he stated.

Obi explained that while he has served as Chairman/Director of three banks/financial institutions, including Fidelity Bank, the institution has over 500,000 shareholders, none of whom hold a majority stake.

Concluding his statement, Obi offered a prayer for those spreading what he termed as falsehoods: "May God grant you the virtues of gratitude and understanding to know that we came here with nothing and will go with nothing, that they cannot profit from their evil ways. A new Nigeria is POssible."