The Presidency has dismissed claims that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s planned visit to Saudi Arabia is for medical treatment, stating that the trip is intended for the performance of Umrah, the lesser Hajj.
The Special Assistant to the President on Social Media, Dada Olusegun, clarified the purpose of the planned trip in a post on his verified X handle, responding to comments by African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore.
Sowore had shared a post titled “Pray for Tinubu”, suggesting that the President’s planned journey to Saudi Arabia was for medical reasons and drawing comparisons with the circumstances surrounding the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua.
However, Olusegun rejected the suggestion, insisting that Tinubu intended to visit the holy city of Makkah to pray for Nigeria and commit his re-election bid to God.
“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,” he said.
The presidential aide explained that seeking divine guidance before major undertakings was a common religious practice among Muslims.
Olusegun also recalled that Tinubu travelled to Saudi Arabia twice in 2022 to perform Umrah, first in April ahead of the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential primary and again in December before the 2023 presidential election.
According to him, the President’s victory in the APC primary and the subsequent general election reinforced his decision to maintain the practice.
“His prayers were answered on both occasions. It is only sensible to stick to a potent strategy; hence, the President is going again,” he stated.
To counter concerns about Tinubu’s health, Olusegun cited the President’s recent public and official engagements, including a visit to Kaduna on Saturday, which he described as the flag-off of Tinubu’s re-election campaign.
He also referenced the President’s meetings with former African Development Bank President, Akinwumi Adesina, and the Director-General of the Nigerian Tourism Development Authority, Ola Awakan.
The presidential aide further pointed to Tinubu’s participation in the Federal Executive Council meeting on Wednesday, where several government decisions were considered.
Responding directly to Sowore’s claims, Olusegun argued that the President’s busy schedule contradicted suggestions that he was unwell.
“Mr Sowore, a ‘sick person’ would not have this many itineraries to accomplish,” he said, adding that the President was “fit as a fiddle.”
Olusegun also accused Sowore of wishing the President ill, insisting that no harm would befall Tinubu.
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