Senator Dino Melaye has challenged President Bola Tinubu to a Quranic citation competition following the president’s recent spiritual visit to Saudi Arabia for the lesser Hajj, known as Umrah.
Melaye made the challenge in a Monday post on his X handle, stating that he was ready to take on the president in a Quranic citation contest once he returns from Saudi Arabia.
He wrote, “Now that Alhaji Bola Tinubu is in Umrah. As soon as he returns, I challenge him to a Quranic citation competition with me. No one can mock God. SDM.”
The challenge follows the sharing of details about Tinubu’s spiritual activities in Saudi Arabia by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, including his visit to the Holy Ka’abah in Makkah.
Onanuga said Saudi Arabia’s King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud gave Tinubu the chance to lead Nigeria’s delegation in prayers inside the sacred structure.
The presidential spokesman said the president thanked the Saudi monarch and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for the privilege, calling the experience a historic and memorable spiritual encounter.
Speaking after the prayers, Tinubu said he had asked Almighty Allah for wisdom and resilience to keep leading the country.
He stated, “I asked for wisdom and resilience to continue to serve the people. I know that prayer has been granted.”
He also cited Surah Aal-Imran, Verse 26 of the Quran, which speaks about Allah’s ultimate authority over power and sovereignty.
Reflecting on the message, Tinubu stated that political authority was a responsibility entrusted to individuals by God and should be exercised with humility and in the interest of the people.
“There is no other God but Almighty Allah. He is the giver and the taker. He owns power and authority,” the president said.
Tinubu also reaffirmed his commitment to national development, expressing optimism about Nigeria’s economic recovery and promising to prioritize investment in young people.
“My commitment to Project Nigeria is higher. I am determined to usher in prosperity and fully develop the country, consistent with the wish of Allah and the support of the people,” he said.
The president also stressed how vital it is to prepare younger generations for the future, noting that leaders would be judged by the opportunities they created for them.
Those who accompanied Tinubu on the spiritual visit included the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi; the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Ali Pate; and the governors of Borno, Sokoto, Jigawa, Kaduna, Yobe, and Kwara states, along with business leaders.
