A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Abayomi Nurain Mumuni, has cautioned opposition politicians against ridiculing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's recent Umrah pilgrimage to Makkah and the rare privilege granted him to enter the interior of the Holy Kaaba. Mumuni, a renowned security expert and former governorship candidate in Lagos State, expressed concern over comments by some opposition figures who described the President's pilgrimage as a political exercise and questioned the significance of his spiritual experience.
Mumuni emphasized that sacred Islamic experiences should not become instruments of partisan attacks, urging politicians to respect religious sensitivities. He noted that occupying the highest political office in Nigeria does not deprive anyone of the right to practise their religion. Mumuni, who has performed both Hajj and Umrah, said his personal experience of the pilgrimages had given him a deeper appreciation of the spiritual significance of visiting Makkah.
The APC chieftain described the Kaaba as Islam's most sacred structure and the direction towards which Muslims across the world turn in their five daily prayers. He noted that access to its interior is an exceptional privilege that should be treated with reverence rather than political ridicule. Mumuni recalled that he had been privileged to observe prayers at Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied East Jerusalem, Islam's third holiest mosque, on multiple occasions.
Mumuni expressed disappointment with what he described as attempts by some political elites associated with opposition parties to ridicule Islamic religious experiences for political advantage. He insisted that sacred matters should be treated with respect regardless of political affiliations. Mumuni described the privilege granted to Tinubu by Saudi Arabia's King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud as an exceptional religious and diplomatic gesture.
The APC chieftain stressed that the privilege should not be trivialised for partisan purposes, cautioning against interpreting the honour as an automatic endorsement of the President's political ambition or a guarantee of electoral victory. Mumuni urged opposition politicians to channel their energy towards presenting credible alternatives to the challenges confronting Nigerians, including insecurity, rising living costs, unemployment, education, and healthcare.
Mumuni also expressed concern over attempts by some political commentators to turn Quranic knowledge into a contest or challenge designed to ridicule the President following his pilgrimage. He said the Noble Quran should be approached with sincerity, humility, and a genuine desire to understand its teachings rather than used as an instrument of partisan exchanges.
Mumuni urged political leaders, religious scholars, organisations, and the media to promote responsible public discourse, particularly in a religiously diverse country such as Nigeria. He emphasized that the 2027 electoral contest should be driven by ideas, policy proposals, and practical solutions rather than comments capable of ridiculing religious beliefs or inflaming sensitivities.
Key points
- APC chieftain Abayomi Mumuni warns against politicizing President Tinubu's Kaaba honour.
- Mumuni urges respect for religious sensitivities and promotion of responsible public discourse.
- The APC chieftain emphasizes the need for credible alternatives to Nigeria's challenges.
