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Peter Obi Concludes Rome Pilgrimage, Calls for National Unity and Civic Action

2 months ago
Isa Mubarak
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ROME, ITALY—Mr. Peter Obi, the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, has concluded a spiritual pilgrimage to Rome, where he offered prayers for Nigeria’s unity, peace, and the emergence of responsible leadership amidst the nation’s ongoing political, social, and economic challenges.

In a statement following his trip, which also included a visit to the United States, Mr. Obi urged Nigerians to remain steadfast in their faith while simultaneously embracing personal and shared responsibility for national progress. He said the journey was an opportunity to “take Nigeria’s situation to God.”

The pilgrimage, undertaken with his wife, Margaret, coincided with the ongoing Catholic Church’s Jubilee Year. The couple dedicated their prayers to the nation’s healing and renewal, visiting the four major Papal Basilicas in Rome—St. Mary Major, St. Paul Outside the Walls, St. John Lateran, and St. Peter’s Basilica—and passing through each Holy Door.

Reflecting on the nation’s history, Mr. Obi expressed gratitude, stating: “With hearts full of gratitude, we thanked God that, despite our differences and the many challenges faced over sixty-five years of independence, He has kept us together as one nation.”

The spiritual journey culminated with the couple attending the Papal General Audience at St. Peter’s Basilica, followed by a private audience with His Holiness, Pope Leo XIV, to whom Mr. Obi appealed for prayers for Nigeria. He noted meeting other Nigerian nationals during the trip: “Along the way, we met many Nigerian pilgrims — men and women of faith whose faces shone with quiet hope. Together, we renewed our trust in God’s mercy and in the promise of a better Nigeria.”

Reaffirming the dual role of spirituality and civic duty, the former Anambra State Governor stressed that reliance on faith must be complemented by concerted national effort. He concluded by asserting: “Faith does not absolve us of responsibility; it calls us to action. We must each continue to do our part — with honesty, diligence, and love — for our nation’s healing and progress.”