Tinubu Arrives In Saudi Arabia For Umrah, Set To Pray For Nigeria

President Bola Tinubu has arrived in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, to perform Umrah, commonly known as the lesser Hajj, and offer prayers for Nigeria.

The President arrived on Thursday after departing Abuja aboard the presidential Airbus A330-200, which took off at approximately 2:20 p.m.

According to Bush Radio Academy, Tinubu was received in Jeddah by Nigeria’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Yakubu Gambo, Saudi Arabia’s Head of Royal Protocol, Ahmad bin Thafir, and prominent Nigerian businessman, Abdulsamad Rabiu, alongside Senator Abdulaziz Yari.

The President’s departure from Abuja was witnessed by several state governors, including AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara State, Babagana Zulum of Borno, Uba Sani of Kaduna, Ahmad Aliyu of Sokoto, Umar Namadi of Jigawa and Mai Mala Buni of Yobe State.

Other government officials present at the airport included the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume; the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi; and Nigeria’s Ambassador to Mexico, Reno Omokri.

The Presidency had earlier announced the trip in a statement issued by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, explaining that Tinubu was travelling to Makkah to observe the lesser Hajj and pray for the country.

However, the President’s journey has attracted political attention following allegations by former Vice President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, who questioned the officially announced destination.

Atiku claimed that information available to him suggested Tinubu was travelling to France rather than Makkah, alleging that the announcement of the Umrah pilgrimage might have been used to conceal the President’s actual destination.

He also raised questions about whether the trip was connected to concerns surrounding Tinubu’s health and a reported $20 billion loan request involving a French business partner.

The former Vice President called on the Presidency to clarify the issues and make the President’s complete travel itinerary public.

Atiku’s allegations were contained in a statement issued by Phrank Shaibu, Director of Strategic Communication for the ADC Presidential Campaign Council.

As of the information available in the report, the Presidency had not provided a response to Atiku’s claims.