President Bola Tinubu departed Abuja on Thursday for Makkah, Saudi Arabia, to perform Umrah and pray for Nigeria’s peace, unity and development.
The presidential Airbus A330-200 left at 2:20 p.m. local time.
Tinubu was seen off at the airport by several governors, including AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara, Babagana Zulum of Borno, Uba Sani of Kaduna, Ahmad Aliyu of Sokoto, Umar Namadi of Jigawa and Mai Mala Buni of Yobe.
Also present were Secretary to the Government of the Federation George Akume, Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice Lateef Fagbemi, and Nigeria’s Ambassador to Mexico, Reno Omokri.
A Spiritual Mission
The trip is intended to provide time for religious devotion and reflection, with prayers for Nigeria’s peace, unity, stability and development.
Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, announced the trip in a statement titled “President Tinubu Departs Abuja for Makkah to Pray for the Nation.”
According to the statement, Tinubu will observe the religious rites of Umrah and seek divine guidance and blessings for Nigeria and its citizens.
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Before leaving Abuja, the President commissioned equipment acquired by the Nigerian Air Force at the Presidential Wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport.
He is expected to return to Nigeria next week after completing the pilgrimage.
This is Tinubu’s second Umrah visit since taking office in May 2023. He previously travelled to Makkah in November 2023, shortly after attending the Saudi-African Summit in Riyadh.
Atiku Demands Daily Photos of Tinubu in Makkah
Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has challenged President Tinubu to release daily photographs and video footage of his activities in Makkah.
Atiku, in a statement issued by Phrank Shaibu, Director of Strategic Communication of the ADC Presidential Campaign Council, questioned the President’s itinerary and demanded verifiable evidence of his participation in the religious rites.
“If President Tinubu is truly travelling to pray for Nigeria, the Presidency should release clear, current, date-stamped photographs and videos each day showing him at the Kaaba and participating in the rites of Umrah,” Atiku said.
The former vice-president alleged that intelligence available to him suggested Tinubu might travel to France after a brief appearance in Makkah.
He also raised questions about Tinubu’s health and an alleged $20 billion loan request involving a French business partner.
“No one should invoke the name of Almighty Allah in vain,” Atiku said.
He maintained that Nigerians were entitled to know the President’s daily engagements and how the trip was being funded.
A Presidency Under Scrutiny
The President’s planned visit comes amid heightened political activity ahead of the 2027 general election, with opposition figures continuing to question the administration’s policies and decisions.
Tinubu’s foreign travels since assuming office on May 29, 2023, have taken him to more than 30 countries across Africa, Europe, Asia, the Americas and the Middle East for bilateral meetings, multilateral summits and other diplomatic assignments.
The Presidency has not responded to Atiku’s demands for daily photographs.
