Known Liars And Propagandists Twisting Issues: Dr Moses Paul Explains What Happened To Peter Obi At The Vatican –
This morning, I came across some ethically biased and hateful comments made by known government propagandists, Femi Fani-Kayode, Reno Omokri, and Omoyele Sowore of Sahara Reporters, targeting Mr. Peter Obi over his recent visit to Rome. In response, I decided to personally reach out to Mr. @PeterObi, before he left Abuja.
Misleading headlines falsely claimed that Mr. @PeterObi refused “Bounced” to pay homage until the President intervened, despite Mr. Peter Obi himself clarified in a tweet that he didn’t meet the Pope as he only attended the Vatican inauguration ceremony. He had already made the purpose and nature of his visit clear. Every well-meaning Nigerian knows that Mr. Peter Obi has been a regular visitor to the Vatican for over 20 years and is a Papal Knight of the Catholic Church. Shockingly, the media didn’t even mention the distinguished individuals who accompanied him.
When I met him, he calmly said to me, “Mo, don’t bother about things like that.” He explained that the visit was similar to a previous one, including the inauguration of Pope Francis, which he attended in 2013.
When I pressed further, asking him to clarify, he told me plainly: “I bought my own ticket and traveled for what I believe is a personal, non-political trip, but people are trying to politicize it.” He emphasized that he flew economy class, saying, “It’s the difference between business class and economy that I use for donations to build classrooms.”
Surprised, I asked to see the ticket for a photo, and he obliged, though I know he may not have been pleased. But sometimes, it’s important to show the truth.
He explained: “I flew from Lagos to London on Air Peace. A Nigerian friend drove me from there to Heathrow, where I boarded a flight to Rome. I returned the same way, Rome to Heathrow, then back to Nigeria.”
He was very clear: he went on his own. Both Mr. @PeterObi and Dr. Kayode Fayemi had official passes that granted them access to the VIP section of the event.
As is his custom whenever he travels, Mr. @PeterObi made time to visit the elderly. I remember the last time I was with him in Washington, he visited Sylvester Ugo, a 90-year-old Nigerian.
On every trip to the Vatican, he visits Cardinal Francis Arinze. On this occasion, together with Dr. Fayemi, he again visited the Cardinal, a revered figure who has spent over 40 years in the Vatican and is now over 90 years old. They were driven with him and guided by protocol on where to sit.
They accompanied the Cardinal to the Vatican. Naturally, protocol required the Cardinal to use a separate entrance to prepare for the Mass, while lay guests were directed through a different route.
Let’s be honest: Where in the world do bishops and lay guests go through the same entrance at papal events? This is not rocket science; it’s standard protocol.
Enough of the lies. Enough of the propaganda. The truth has no tribe.
Mr. @PeterObi has since returned and resumed his visits to hospitals and schools, donating millions, and resources he could have easily spent on luxury travel. Instead of appreciating such integrity and sacrifice, some choose to insult him.
Rather than holding accountable those who squander taxpayers’ money, some are fixated on disparaging the one man who is actually making a difference.
-DrMo
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