Former Vice President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has accused President Bola Tinubu of using his announced pilgrimage to Makkah, Saudi Arabia, as a cover for an alleged trip to France.
Atiku made the allegation in a statement issued on Wednesday by Phrank Shaibu, Director of Strategic Communication of the ADC Presidential Campaign Council.
He claimed that information available to him suggested that France, rather than Saudi Arabia, was the President’s actual destination.
The allegation followed an announcement by presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga that Tinubu would depart Abuja on Thursday for Makkah to perform the lesser pilgrimage, Umrah, and pray for Nigeria.
According to Onanuga, the President intended to seek Allah’s guidance for the country and its people during the trip.
However, Atiku questioned the stated purpose of the journey, alleging that Tinubu might make only a brief stop in Makkah before proceeding to France.
He also raised questions about whether the trip was connected to the President’s health and a reported $20 billion loan request involving a French business partner.
Atiku called on the Presidency to clarify the concerns and disclose the President’s complete travel itinerary.
“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,” the statement said.
The former vice president argued that Nigerians deserved verifiable evidence of the President’s presence in Makkah, alongside a transparent account of his activities throughout the visit.
He also stressed that the trip was a matter of public interest because it had been presented as a mission undertaken on behalf of the country.
According to the statement, Atiku said Nigerians were entitled to know the President’s daily engagements and how the journey was being funded.
He further cautioned against invoking religion in a manner that could mislead the public, saying a spiritual mission undertaken for the country should be treated with sincerity and transparency.
Atiku added that he and other Nigerians would join the President in praying for the nation’s peace and progress.
The ADC presidential candidate urged the Presidency to respond directly to the questions raised and provide evidence to support its account of the trip.
