Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is set to travel to Saudi Arabia to perform the lesser Hajj, also known as Umrah, not for medical treatment, according to his Special Adviser on Social Media, Dada Olusegun. Olusegun made the clarification on Thursday in response to concerns raised by human rights activist Omoyele Sowore about the President's health and the purpose of his trip. Tinubu's trip comes after his recent rally in Kaduna, where he flagged off his re-election campaign.
Sowore had alleged that Tinubu was preparing for another overseas trip on October 29, 2026, amid growing questions about his health. He claimed that five governors, some ministers, and prominent businesspeople were being assembled for the journey to give it the appearance of an official business visit. However, Olusegun maintained that the President's trip was for religious purposes, citing Tinubu's previous visits to Saudi Arabia to perform Umrah in 2022.
According to Olusegun, Tinubu would use the religious pilgrimage to pray for Nigeria and seek God's intervention for his re-election in 2027. The President's aide pointed to Tinubu's recent official engagements, including his Kaduna rally, meetings with former African Development Bank President Akinwumi Adesina and Nigerian Tourism Development Authority Director-General Ola Awakan, and his chairing of the Federal Executive Council meeting on Thursday.
Olusegun also mentioned that Tinubu had travelled to Makkah, Saudi Arabia, to perform Umrah twice in 2022, first in April before the APC primary election and again in late December before the presidential election. He stated that the President's prayers were answered on both occasions, which is why he is going again. This, Olusegun argued, is a regular practice among Muslims when they want to embark on any critical journey or attain a milestone.
In response to Sowore's allegations, Olusegun described the President as "fit as a fiddle" and accused him of wishing evil on Tinubu. The presidential aide stated that a person who is sick would not have the same level of itineraries to accomplish as the President. He also pointed out that Tinubu had received the former AfDB President and hosted the Director-General of the Nigerian Tourism Development Authority, demonstrating his good health.
The controversy surrounding Tinubu's trip comes as some Nigerians are questioning his health and ability to lead the country. However, Olusegun's clarification aims to put these concerns to rest, emphasizing that the President's trip is for spiritual purposes. The development is also significant as it comes ahead of Tinubu's re-election campaign, which he launched in Kaduna on Saturday.
As Tinubu prepares to depart for Saudi Arabia, his re-election campaign is gaining momentum. The President's ability to lead the country has been a subject of debate among Nigerians, with some expressing concerns about his health. However, with Olusegun's clarification, it appears that the President is focused on his spiritual well-being and his re-election bid.
Key points
- President Tinubu travels to Saudi Arabia for Umrah, not medical treatment.
- The trip is part of Tinubu's re-election campaign, which he launched in Kaduna on Saturday.
- Olusegun clarified that Tinubu's trip is a regular practice among Muslims for spiritual purposes.
