Fierce Nigerian political rivals Peter Obi and President Bola Tinubu were seen laughing and joking at Pope Leo XIV's inaugural mass in Rome.

Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress defeated Obi of the Labour Party in the heated and tightly contested 2023 presidential election - a victory Obi challenged at the Supreme Court without success.

The pair's supporters have expressed bitter rivalry towards each other over the years, both on social media and on the streets, with some physical clashes occurring prior to the elections.

Tinubu and Obi are expected to go head-to-head again in less than two years' time as Nigeria prepares for another election in 2027.

Photos of the meeting were shared by presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga on social media, who recounted what transpired when Obi and a former governor greeted the Nigerian president after seeing him at the event.

"Mr President, welcome to our church, and thank you for honouring the Pope with your presence," said former Ekiti state governor Kayode Fayemi.

Both Obi and Fayemi are Catholics, while Tinubu is Muslim.

However, President Tinubu responded: "I should be the one welcoming you and Peter. I'm the head of the Nigerian delegation."

The president's response elicited laughter from Obi, who agreed.

"Yes, indeed. We are members of your delegation," Obi said.

Despite the memorable encounter, Obi did not mention it in his long post on X about his visit to the Vatican.

Alkassim Hussain, a member of Nigeria's House of Representatives, told the BBC that the light-hearted meeting was good for the country's politics and should help reduce tension.

"They portrayed a good image of the country and that's how politics should be played - without bitterness.

"I hope supporters of both Tinubu and Obi can see that after elections and court cases, then it is all about the country and how everyone can join hands together to grow it," he noted.

Tinubu won the 2023 elections after the opposition was split between the Labour Party and the Peoples Democratic Party.

There is speculation that the two parties could form a coalition in 2027 to challenge Tinubu, who is expected to seek a second term.

Elections are often marred by violence in Nigeria, with hundreds of people losing their lives since the country's return to democracy in 1999.