The Nigerian Presidency has clarified that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s planned visit to Saudi Arabia is intended for religious worship and prayers, dismissing suggestions that the trip is connected to medical treatment.
The explanation followed concerns raised by Omoyele Sowore, an activist and presidential candidate of the African Action Congress, who questioned the circumstances surrounding the President’s scheduled journey and raised issues about his health.
Segun Dada, Special Assistant to the President on Social Media, said Tinubu was travelling to Makkah to perform Umrah, also called the Lesser Hajj. He explained that the President intended to use the religious journey to pray for Nigeria and seek divine guidance for the country and his political future.
Dada said the President would offer prayers for national peace, stability and progress while committing his anticipated 2027 re-election bid to God.
“President Tinubu is not heading to Saudi Arabia for medical treatment. He is heading to the Holy Land for Lesser Hajj (Umrah), like other Muslims across the world,” the presidential aide said.
He argued that seeking divine guidance before significant undertakings was a common religious practice among Muslims and not an unusual development in Tinubu’s case.
Dada recalled that the President visited Makkah in April and December 2022, before the All Progressives Congress presidential primary and the 2023 general election.
He said the latest trip followed a similar pattern of religious observance and spiritual reflection.
The presidential aide also disputed suggestions that Tinubu was unable to perform his duties, citing a series of recent official engagements.
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According to Dada, the President was in Kaduna on Saturday to inaugurate his re-election campaign before holding meetings with former African Development Bank president Akinwumi Adesina and Nigerian Tourism Development Authority Director-General Ola Awakan.
He also referred to Tinubu’s chairmanship of a Federal Executive Council meeting in Abuja, during which government decisions were taken.
Dada used those engagements to challenge Sowore’s characterisation of the President’s health, saying the schedule demonstrated continued participation in official duties.
Meanwhile, Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, had announced that Tinubu would depart Abuja on Thursday for Makkah.
Onanuga said the President would perform the rites of Umrah and pray for Nigeria’s unity, peace, stability and development.
Before departing, Tinubu was expected to commission equipment acquired by the Nigerian Air Force at the Presidential Wing of Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport.
The President is expected back in Nigeria next week after completing the pilgrimage.
