Former President Olusegun Obasanjo visited the presidential seat of power in Abuja on Friday, his first Aso Rock trip since President Bola Tinubu was sworn into office.

Obasanjo, a major critic of the current administration, has stayed away from the Presidential Villa even when invited for crucial events like the Council of State meetings.

At the height of the seeming diplomatic face-off between the Tinubu and Trump administrations, Obasanjo had fired an indirect shot at the President, saying under his watch, America did not take any major action in Africa without informing Nigeria.

Obasanjo said this after Trump warned that America could deploy troops to Nigeria if the Federal Government failed to stop “killing of Christians”.

While Obasanjo did not mention the controversy directly, he recalled a period when Nigeria was regarded as Africa’s clear leader. He said Nigeria once commanded strong international respect, noting that late President Jimmy Carter would always notify Nigeria before any U.S. move in Africa.

“They were not seeking permission, but they would inform us,” he had said.

But on Friday, the Nigerian leader was one of the guests at the Presidential Villa when First Lady Oluremi Tinubu hosted the 2025 Service of Nine Lessons and Carols, themed “Emmanuel: God With Us.”

According to a statement issued by the First Lady’s media office, Obasanjo read the Second Lesson from Genesis 22:15-18, emphasising God’s covenant of blessing through obedience.

Former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon, who was also a guest, read the First Lesson from Genesis 3:8-12, recounting humanity’s early encounter with divine accountability.

The host read the Ninth Lesson from John 1:1-14, affirming the Word made flesh dwelling among us. The congregation rose for the resounding Hymn: O Come, All Ye Faithful.

Christmas Carol is an annual event which Christians hold around this period of the year. (Daily Trust)