In a spiritual mission aimed at seeking divine intervention for his homeland, former Nigerian presidential candidate Peter Obi personally appealed to His Holiness, Pope Francis, for prayers for a beleaguered Nigeria. The appeal marked the culmination of a profound pilgrimage to Rome undertaken by Obi and his wife during the Jubilee Year.
The journey, which followed a brief trip to the United States, was dedicated to praying for Nigeria’s future. The couple expressed gratitude for the nation’s unity despite decades of challenges but also sought forgiveness for national transgressions. Their central plea was for divinely inspired leadership. “We implored God to intervene in the suffering of the Nigerian people,” Obi stated, specifying a need for “selfless and compassionate leaders” who are truthful, altruistic, and committed to the common good.
The pilgrimage involved deep spiritual reflection across Rome’s most sacred sites. Over two days, the Obis passed through the Holy Doors of the four major Papal Basilicas: St. Mary Major, St. Paul Outside the Walls, St. John Lateran, and finally, St. Peter’s. At each door, they prayed that God would “open the door of His mercy to Nigeria.” They also prayed at the Scala Sancta, the holy steps Jesus ascended before Pontius Pilate.
The spiritual highpoint was attending the Papal General Audience. After hearing the Pope’s catechesis on hope and perseverance, the Obis were granted a personal audience. It was there that Obi humbly requested the Pontiff’s prayers for his country, emphasizing the suffering of its people and the need for a national renewal.
Throughout the visit, Obi noted the “quiet hope” on the faces of other Nigerian pilgrims, with whom he shared a renewed trust in God’s mercy. However, he firmly connected faith with civic duty. “Faith does not absolve us of responsibility; rather, it calls us to action,” Obi asserted, urging his compatriots to continue working with honesty and diligence for the nation’s progress.
Concluding his account, Obi merged the spiritual with the aspirational, declaring with renewed conviction that despite the overwhelming challenges, “a new Nigeria is possible.”
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