Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has raised concerns about President Bola Tinubu's announced Umrah pilgrimage to Makkah, questioning the President's actual destination. According to a statement issued on Wednesday by Phrank Shaibu, Director of Strategic Communication of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) Presidential Campaign Council, Atiku alleged that credible intelligence suggests Tinubu's actual destination may be France, not Makkah. Atiku accused Tinubu of using the pilgrimage announcement as a "smokescreen or subterfuge".
Atiku expressed concerns that Tinubu might make a brief appearance in Makkah before proceeding to France. He also questioned whether the trip was connected to the President's health and a reported $20 billion loan request involving a French business partner. Atiku urged the Presidency to address the concerns and disclose the President's full itinerary, emphasizing that Nigerians deserve verifiable proof of the President's presence in Makkah and a transparent account of his daily activities.
The former Vice President called on the Presidency to release clear, current, and date-stamped photographs and videos each day showing Tinubu at the Kaaba and participating in the rites of Umrah. Atiku stated that he and other Nigerians would join the President in salat and prayers for the country's peace and progress. He cautioned that no one should invoke the name of Almighty Allah in vain, adding that a spiritual mission undertaken on behalf of the nation must be treated with seriousness and transparency.
Atiku's statement argued that an official trip presented as a mission for Nigeria was a matter of public interest, stressing that Nigerians were entitled to know the President's daily engagements and how the trip was being funded. The former Vice President emphasized that the country deserved evidence of the President's activities, particularly given the sensitive nature of the trip.
The development has sparked a fresh controversy, with many Nigerians questioning the President's decision to embark on a pilgrimage abroad while the country faces numerous challenges. Atiku's demands have been seen as a move to hold the President accountable for his actions, with many calling for transparency in government dealings.
President Tinubu's office has not responded to Atiku's demands, but the President's supporters have defended his decision to embark on the pilgrimage, arguing that it was a personal matter. However, Atiku's concerns have resonated with many Nigerians, who are eager to see more transparency in government.
The issue has highlighted the need for greater accountability and transparency in government dealings, particularly in sensitive matters such as official trips abroad. As the controversy continues to unfold, Nigerians will be watching closely to see how the Presidency responds to Atiku's demands for daily proof of the President's activities during his Umrah pilgrimage.
Key points
- Atiku Abubakar questions President Bola Tinubu's Umrah pilgrimage, alleging his actual destination may be France.
- Atiku demands daily photographic and video evidence of Tinubu's presence in Makkah.
- The controversy has sparked a fresh debate about transparency and accountability in government dealings.
