“No one should invoke the name of Almighty Allah in vain”, Atiku reacts to Tinubu’s reported Umrah trip
By KEMI KASUMU
Atiku called on the Presidency to publish verifiable evidence of Tinubu’s presence at the Kaaba and his participation in the religious rites of Umrah throughout the trip. He argued that providing such evidence would address the suspicions surrounding the President’s announced journey.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has challenged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to provide daily, date-stamped photographs and videos of his planned Umrah pilgrimage to Makkah, Saudi Arabia, alleging that the President may proceed to France after a brief stop in the holy city.
Atiku, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, made the demand through Phrank Shaibu, Director of Strategic Communications of the ADC Presidential Campaign Council, in a statement issued on Wednesday, October 28, 2026.
He claimed that intelligence available to him suggested that France, rather than Saudi Arabia, might be the President’s actual destination.
Atiku called on the Presidency to publish verifiable evidence of Tinubu’s presence at the Kaaba and his participation in the religious rites of Umrah throughout the trip.
He argued that providing such evidence would address the suspicions surrounding the President’s announced journey.
Atiku Raises Questions About Health, $20bn Loan
Beyond questioning the President’s destination, the former vice president urged the Presidency to clarify whether the trip had any connection to Tinubu’s health condition.
He also called for clarification on reports of a $20 billion loan request allegedly involving a French business partner.
Atiku maintained that Nigerians were entitled to a clear account of the President’s itinerary and a transparent explanation of how the trip was being funded.
He said an official journey presented as a spiritual mission on behalf of Nigerians should be treated as a matter of public interest.
“No one should invoke the name of Almighty Allah in vain,” he said, stressing the need for sincerity and transparency in the conduct of the pilgrimage.
Atiku added that he and other Nigerians would join the President in praying for peace and progress in the country but insisted that the Presidency should address the questions raised and provide the evidence demanded.
The allegations concerning the President’s destination and the reported loan request were attributed to Atiku and were not independently established in the statement.
Tinubu Announces Umrah Pilgrimage
The Presidency had earlier announced that Tinubu would depart Abuja on Thursday, October 29, 2026, for Makkah, Saudi Arabia, to perform Umrah and pray for Nigeria’s peace, unity, stability and progress.
The announcement was made by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy.
According to the Presidency, the trip would provide the President with an opportunity for spiritual reflection, devotion and prayers for the country.
Before departing Abuja, Tinubu is scheduled to commission equipment acquired by the Nigerian Air Force at the Presidential Wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport.
The President is expected to return to Nigeria next week after completing the spiritual exercise.
Umrah is an Islamic pilgrimage to Makkah that can be performed at any time of the year, unlike Hajj, which takes place during specific dates on the Islamic calendar.
