Who Needs Prayers Between You And Nigeria – Sowore Questions Tinubu’s Umrah Trip

The presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore, has questioned President Bola Tinubu’s planned trip to Saudi Arabia for Umrah, asking whether Nigeria or the president needs prayers more.

Sowore made the remarks in a statement posted on his X account, where he questioned the Presidency’s explanation that Tinubu would travel to Makkah to pray for Nigeria.

“The lies are not going to stop! Between Nigeria and Tinubu, who really needs prayers? Why lie that you are travelling to Saudi Arabia to ‘pray’ for Nigeria when you yourself are in desperate need of prayers? Even Saudi Arabia is in need of prayers,” he said.

Sowore also drew a comparison between Tinubu’s planned trip and the overseas travels of former President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, who initially sought medical treatment in Germany before travelling to Saudi Arabia.

“Like Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, who initially sought medical treatment in Germany before eventually travelling to Saudi Arabia, Tinubu has made repeated trips to France and is now heading to Saudi Arabia,” he said in an earlier statement.

The Presidency had announced on Wednesday that Tinubu would depart Abuja on Thursday for Makkah, Saudi Arabia, to perform Umrah, an Islamic pilgrimage involving religious rites in the holy city.

According to a statement issued by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, the trip would allow Tinubu to pray for Nigeria’s peace, unity, stability and progress.

Before departing Abuja, the president was also scheduled to commission equipment acquired by the Nigerian Air Force at the Presidential Wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport.

The Presidency said Tinubu was expected to return to Nigeria next week after completing the pilgrimage.

Meanwhile, former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has also questioned the president’s planned trip, demanding daily, verifiable evidence of his presence in Makkah.

Atiku alleged that the pilgrimage could serve as a cover for a trip to France, raising questions about Tinubu’s actual destination, daily engagements and the purpose of the journey.

In a statement issued by Phrank Shaibu, Director of Strategic Communication of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) Presidential Campaign Council, Atiku said intelligence available to him suggested that Tinubu might make only a brief appearance in Makkah before travelling to France.

The former vice-president also raised concerns about a reported $20 billion loan request involving a French business partner.

He called on the Presidency to release current, date-stamped photographs and videos showing Tinubu at the Kaaba and performing the religious rites associated with Umrah each day.

“Nigerians deserve verifiable proof of the President’s presence in Makkah and a transparent account of his daily activities in the Holy Land,” Atiku said.

Atiku further questioned whether the trip was connected to the president’s health and the reported loan request, urging the Presidency to address the concerns and disclose Tinubu’s full itinerary.

The ADC chieftain said he and other Nigerians would join the president in praying for the country’s peace and progress but cautioned against invoking religion without sincerity.

“No one should invoke the name of Almighty Allah in vain,” he said.

Atiku maintained that a spiritual mission undertaken on behalf of the country should be treated with seriousness and transparency.

He also demanded an explanation of how the trip was being funded, insisting that Nigerians were entitled to verifiable information about the president’s whereabouts and daily activities.

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.