Did Vatican Security Block Seyi Tinubu from Meeting Pope Leo? Reno Omokri Reacts

• Reno Omokri has defended the presence of President Bola Tinubu’s son, Seyi, in his father’s entourage to attend the inauguration of Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican
• Omokri, a former presidential aide, took a swipe at one of Nigeria's newspapers for claiming that Seyi Tinubu was blocked by Vatican security from greeting the Pope
• The former presidential aide accused the medium of projecting itself as a propaganda machinery with a regional agenda

Reno Omokri, a former presidential aide, has criticised Daily Trust, a Nigerian newspaper, alleging that its report claiming Seyi Tinubu, son of President Bola Tinubu, was restricted from greeting Pope Leo XIV during his father's visit to Rome on Sunday, 18 May, was misleading.

Pope Leo XIV had invited President Tinubu to attend his inauguration in person, which took place in Rome, the capital of Italy. Seyi Tinubu was part of the presidential entourage present at the ceremony.

Seyi Tinubu allegedly blocked by Vatican security

During the visit, Daily Trust reported that the president’s son was blocked by Vatican security from greeting Pope Leo XIV while his father was exchanging pleasantries with the Catholic leader.

But Omokri, a former presidential aide, in a tweet on Monday, May 19, 2025, explained that there was no time that Seyi Tinubu attempted to approach the Pope as reported by Daily Trust.

He noted that the video of the viral moment was on his page, adding that eyewitnesses at the event have also verified it.

He explained that Seyi Tinubu was only ushered to follow a different direction after his father, President Tinubu, had his one-on-one talk with the Pope. He alleged that the platform has a record of reporting "negative and dishonest" news about Southern presidents and their families.

Omokri accuses Daily Trust of regional agenda

Omokri also claimed that the medium has been presenting itself as a propaganda machine with a regional agenda. Omokri's tweet reads in part:

"On more than one occasion, they have been forced to apologise after reporting lies, such as the lie that the SAMOA agreement entered into by the Tinubu administration was an LGBTQ agenda."

The former presidential aide went ahead to defend Seyi Tinubu for being in his father's entourage to the Vatican.

According to Omokri, it is common practice around the world for the children of presidents to be involved in their parents’ administrations. He cited the examples of Chelsea Clinton, daughter of former U.S. President Bill Clinton, and Sir Mark Thatcher, son of former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher.

Omokri's tweet is here:

Expert calls for accuracy, objectivity in reports

Reacting to the development, media and communications expert Emmanuel Kayode Ofei cautioned media organisations against sensationalism in the coverage of events.

Speaking with Legit.ng, Ofei, who is also a media educationist, stressed the need for professionalism and factual reporting when covering public issues involving high-profile individuals.

His words:

“As professional media organisations, we must adhere strictly to our code of conduct.”

“It is essential that we ensure our news reports are factual and objective to avoid misleading the public.”

List of popes in the last 110 years

Legit.ng earlier reported that Pope Francis became the 10th leader of the world of the Catholic Church in the last 110 years in history.

The late Francis died on Monday, April 21, 2025, which was the same day as Easter Monday, just after delivering Easter Sunday's sermon.

The list of popes who have ruled the Catholic Church world in the last 110 years, from Pope Pius X to Francis, recently made the rounds online.

Editorial assistant Ololade Olatimehin provided exclusive commentary from a media and communications expert for this report.

Proofreading by James Ojo, copy editor at Legit.ng.

Source: Legit.ng