Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has challenged the Presidency to publish daily photographs and videos of President Bola Tinubu performing the rites of Umrah in Makkah, Saudi Arabia, demanding transparency over the President’s itinerary and activities during the trip.
Tinubu is scheduled to depart Abuja on Thursday for the Islamic pilgrimage and is expected to return to Nigeria next week, according to a statement issued on Wednesday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
Onanuga said the visit would provide the President with an opportunity for spiritual reflection and prayers for Nigeria’s peace, unity, stability and progress.
However, Atiku, through Phrank Shaibu, Director of Strategic Communication of the African Democratic Congress Presidential Campaign Council, questioned the President’s announced itinerary and called on the Presidency to provide details of his engagements throughout the visit.
Atiku alleged that Tinubu might make a brief appearance in Makkah before travelling to France, although he did not provide publicly verified evidence to substantiate the claim.
He also questioned whether the trip was connected to the President’s health and a reported $20bn loan request involving a French business partner.
The former Vice-President urged the Presidency to release clear, current and date-stamped photographs and videos each day showing Tinubu at the Kaaba and participating in the Umrah rites.
He argued that Nigerians deserved verifiable evidence of the President’s presence in Makkah, alongside a transparent account of his daily activities during the pilgrimage.
Atiku further maintained that the President’s itinerary and the funding of the trip were matters of public interest, particularly because the journey had been presented as a spiritual mission undertaken on behalf of the country.
He called on the Presidency to address the concerns and provide the information Nigerians deserved.
Despite his criticism, Atiku said he and other Nigerians would join Tinubu in praying for the country’s peace and progress.
He also cautioned against invoking the name of Allah in vain, insisting that a religious undertaking presented as a mission for the nation should be treated with seriousness and transparency.
The Presidency’s announcement did not provide a detailed itinerary beyond the planned pilgrimage and the President’s expected return to Nigeria next week.
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