In an outpouring of grief and reverence, two of Nigeria’s foremost political figures, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and former Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate Peter Obi, have expressed deep sorrow over the death of His Holiness, Pope Francis, who died on Easter Monday.
The pontiff’s passing, announced amid solemn global mourning, has drawn emotional tributes from leaders and citizens across religious and national divides, with both men lauding his moral courage and enduring legacy.
Atiku Abubakar, in a heartfelt condolence message on X to the Holy See, the Catholic Church in Nigeria, and the global Christian community, described the Pope’s death as the “end of an era defined by humility, moral courage, and an unwavering commitment to the service of humanity.”
“The departure of Pope Francis marks the end of an era defined by humility, moral courage, and an unwavering commitment to the service of humanity. He was a trailblazer who dared to walk where no one has gone,” Atiku stated. Calling the late pontiff a “shepherd of the most vulnerable” and “a bridge of compassion in a time of division,” the former Vice President reflected on the Pope’s papacy as a powerful moral force that united rather than divided, healed rather than hurt.
“That his soul should be called home on a sacred day of Christians is a solemn and divine punctuation,” Atiku continued, suggesting spiritual symbolism in the timing of the Pope’s passing.
“May the memory of Pope Francis continue to inspire us toward unity, compassion, and peace. And may his soul, now freed from the burdens of this world, find eternal rest in the presence of the Almighty.”
Peter Obi, who also issued a solemn statement titled “Pope Francis: A Moral Compass in a Troubled World,” recalled his personal encounters with the late Pope and hailed his legacy as a beacon of moral clarity in an age marked by uncertainty.
“I received with profound sorrow the news of the passing of the Holy Father, Pope Francis,” Obi began. “His death marks the end of another era in the spiritual and moral leadership of the Catholic Church and the wider world.”
Obi, who met the late Pope three times and is a member of the Scholas Occurrences Foundation founded by Pope Francis, praised the pontiff for his tireless advocacy for justice, peace, youth empowerment, and the dignity of the human person.
“He led with humility, spoke with wisdom, and acted with moral courage,” Obi said. “His deep concern for the poor, his steadfast advocacy for moral leadership, and his defence of human dignity earned him the admiration of people across all faiths and nations.”
Reflecting on his membership in the Scholas Occurrences Foundation, Obi said he witnessed firsthand the Pope’s firm belief in education and dialogue as essential tools for building a more just and equitable world.
“In an age marked by division and uncertainty, his voice remained a steady call to unity, mercy, and justice,” Obi continued.
“His legacy will live on not only in the hearts of the faithful but also in the global conscience he helped shape with grace, clarity, and conviction.”
Obi extended condolences on behalf of his family and millions of Nigerians who found hope and inspiration in Pope Francis’s teachings and personal example.
“May God, in His infinite mercy, grant eternal rest to his gentle soul and guide the Church he so lovingly shepherded,” he concluded.
