Atiku Abubakar, former vice-president, has asked the presidency to release daily photographs and videos of President Bola Tinubu performing Umrah rites in Saudi Arabia.
Tinubu is scheduled to depart Abuja on Thursday for Makkah to undertake the Islamic pilgrimage and is expected to return to Nigeria next week, according to Bayo Onanuga, special adviser to the president on information and strategy.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, Onanuga said the visit would offer the president an opportunity for spiritual reflection and prayers for Nigeria’s peace, unity, stability and progress.
In a statement issued on Wednesday by Phrank Shaibu, director of strategic communication of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential campaign council, Atiku questioned the president’s announced destination.
“Atiku said there was reason to believe President Tinubu might just make a brief appearance in Makkah before proceeding to France,” the statement reads.
“He also raised questions about whether the trip is connected to the President’s health and a reported $20 billion loan request involving a French business partner. Atiku called on the Presidency to address these concerns and disclose the President’s full itinerary.
“Atiku said that if President Tinubu is truly travelling to pray for Nigeria, the Presidency should release clear, current, date-stamped photographs and videos each day showing him at the Kaaba and participating in the rites of Umrah.
“Nigerians, he said, deserve verifiable proof of the President’s presence in Makkah and a transparent account of his daily activities in the Holy Land.”
Atiku added that he and other Nigerians would join Tinubu in praying for the peace and progress of the country.
He cautioned against invoking the name of Allah in vain, saying a spiritual mission undertaken on behalf of the nation should be treated with seriousness and transparency.
The former vice-president also stated that an official trip presented as a mission for Nigeria was a matter of public interest, adding that citizens were entitled to know the president’s daily engagements and how the trip was being funded.
He urged the presidency to answer the questions and provide what he described as the evidence Nigerians deserved.
