By Ayodele Oni
Former Vice President and 2027 ADC presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has questioned whether the President Bola Tinubu’s actual destination is Saudi Arabia or France alleging that the pilgrimage announcement could be a cover for a trip to France.
The Presidency had announced on Wednesday that President Tinubu will depart Abuja on Thursday for Makkah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, to perform Umrah, an Islamic spiritual exercise involving a pilgrimage to the Holy City.
The visit, it said, gives the President an opportunity for spiritual reflection, devotion, and prayers for Nigeria’s peace, unity, stability, and continued progress.
This was made known in a statement on Wednesday by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President, (Information & Strategy) in Abuja.
While in Makkah, President Tinubu will perform the religious rites associated with Umrah, seeking Allah’s guidance and blessings for Nigeria and its people.
Atiku however asked President Tinubu to provide daily photographic and video evidence of his announced Umrah pilgrimage.
Atiku made the call in a statement by Phrank Shaibu, Director of Strategic Communication of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, Presidential Campaign Council.
According to the statement, intelligence available to Atiku suggests Tinubu may make only a brief appearance in Makkah before travelling to France.
The statement, however, did not provide details of the intelligence cited.
The former Vice President also raised questions about the purpose of the reported trip, linking his concerns to the President’s health and an alleged $20 billion loan request involving a French business partner.
He urged the Presidency to clarify the issues and disclose Tinubu’s full travel itinerary.
Atiku added that if the trip is indeed for Umrah to pray for Nigeria, the Presidency should publish clear, current and date-stamped photos and videos daily showing Tinubu at the Kaaba and observing the rites.
He insisted that Nigerians should be able to verify the President’s presence in Makkah and how he spends his time during the pilgrimage.
The former Vice President said he and other Nigerians would join the President in praying for peace and progress, but warned against invoking the name of Allah in vain, arguing that a spiritual journey undertaken for the nation should be approached with sincerity and transparency.
He argued that the President’s itinerary and funding of the trip are matters of public interest because the journey was presented as a mission for Nigeria.
Atiku called on the Presidency to respond directly to the questions raised and provide information that would allow Nigerians to establish the President’s whereabouts and daily engagements.
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