The Presidency and Nigerian activist, Omoyele Sowore, have offered contrasting interpretations of President Bola Tinubu’s latest trip to Saudi Arabia, with the government insisting that the visit is for religious purposes, including prayers for Nigeria.
The disagreement followed comments by Sowore, the 2027 presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), who urged Nigerians to pray for Tinubu while drawing parallels between the President’s foreign travels and the overseas medical trips of late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua.
Sowore questioned Tinubu’s repeated visits to France and his reported journey to Saudi Arabia, suggesting that the circumstances surrounding the trips warranted prayers for the President.
“Pray for Tinubu. Like Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, who initially sought treatment in Germany before travelling to Saudi Arabia, Tinubu has made repeated trips to France and he’s now heading to Saudi Arabia,” the activist wrote.
However, the Presidency had earlier explained that Tinubu’s planned visit to Saudi Arabia was to perform Umrah, the lesser Hajj, and pray for Nigeria, rather than seek medical treatment.
Special Adviser to the President on Social Media, Dada Olusegun reiterated the government’s position in a statement posted on his official X account, dismissing suggestions that the trip was connected to medical care.
“President Tinubu is not heading to Saudi Arabia for medical treatment. He is heading to the Holy Land for Lesser Hajj (Umrah), like other Muslims across the world, to offer supplications for the country and commit his re-election journey into the hands of God,” Olusegun stated.
The presidential aide said the visit would provide an opportunity for Tinubu to seek divine guidance for Nigeria and commit his political ambitions, including his re-election bid, to God.
The exchange has drawn attention to the President’s frequent international travels, with Sowore raising questions about the purpose of his movements and the Presidency maintaining that the Saudi Arabian trip is for religious observances.
