The Presidency has dismissed claims that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s planned trip to Saudi Arabia is connected to medical treatment, insisting that the journey is for religious purposes, including prayers for Nigeria and his anticipated 2027 re-election bid.
Segun Dada, Special Assistant to the President on Social Media, made the clarification while responding to concerns raised by political activist and African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, over the President’s health and the purpose of his scheduled visit.
Dada explained that Tinubu would travel to Makkah to perform Umrah, commonly known as the Lesser Hajj, a religious pilgrimage undertaken by Muslims.
According to the presidential aide, the President intends to pray for Nigeria’s peace, stability and continued progress while seeking divine guidance for his political journey ahead of the 2027 general election.
“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,” Dada stated.
He described the planned pilgrimage as consistent with Islamic practices, explaining that Muslims frequently seek prayers and spiritual guidance before major undertakings.
Dada recalled that Tinubu travelled to Makkah in April and December 2022, before the APC presidential primary and the 2023 general election.
He argued that the President’s latest visit should be understood within the context of his previous religious engagements rather than interpreted as evidence of a medical emergency.
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The presidential aide also rejected suggestions that Tinubu was experiencing health difficulties, pointing to his recent official activities as evidence of his continued involvement in governance.
He said the President was in Kaduna on Saturday to inaugurate his re-election campaign and subsequently met with former African Development Bank president, Dr Akinwumi Adesina, and Nigerian Tourism Development Authority Director-General, Ola Awakan.
Dada also referenced Tinubu’s chairmanship of a Federal Executive Council meeting in Abuja, where government decisions were taken.
“Mr Sowore, a ‘sick person’ would not have this many itineraries to accomplish,” he said.
Meanwhile, presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga had announced that Tinubu would depart Abuja on Thursday for Makkah to perform Umrah and pray for Nigeria’s peace, unity and development.
Before departure, the President was scheduled to commission equipment acquired by the Nigerian Air Force at the Presidential Wing of Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport.
Tinubu is expected to return to Nigeria next week after completing the pilgrimage.
