Presidency Has Politicized Visit Of Tinubu To Mecca; Umrah Is Personal Act Of Worship To PBAT—Phrank Shaibu

The opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the African Democratic Congress (ADC) campaign coalition have criticized the presidency for allegedly politicizing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s visit to Saudi Arabia for the Umrah pilgrimage, dismissing any notions of spiritual endorsements for a second term.

Speaking during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today, on Monday November 2, 2026, Phrank Shaibu, Special Assistant on Public Communication to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, argued that spiritual obligations in the holy land should remain private and separate from political politicking.

Reacting to statements from the presidency regarding the trip, Shaibu stated:

“No second term, no second term can be given to anybody via a spiritual claim. That’s what I’ll tell you. The sanctity, particularly as it relates to visiting the holy land, has nothing to do with politicking, and ordinarily we would not even have engaged in matters that relate to the Almighty while discussing politics so that we don’t attract spiritual jabs from frenetic faithful. But in the circumstance, the presidency has politicized, the visit of, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to the holy land for Umrah. Umrah is a very personal act of worship, personal to the president.”

Watch the video starting from 0:55 to 1:44

modulus123 feedback-opera-news-app@opera.com