President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has declared that political power and authority ultimately belong to Allah, saying leadership positions can be withdrawn from one person and given to another.
Tinubu made the statement on Monday after performing the lesser Hajj, known as Umrah, in Makkah, Saudi Arabia, where he reflected on his visit to the Holy Ka’abah and prayers for wisdom and resilience to continue leading Nigeria.
His remarks were contained in a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
Speaking about the responsibility that comes with public office, the President said those entrusted with authority must exercise it responsibly, stressing that ultimate power belongs to Allah.
“There is no other God but Almighty Allah. He is the giver and the taker. He owns power and authority,” Tinubu said.
He added that anyone who failed to use entrusted power responsibly could lose it to another person.
“If I give you, use it well. If you don’t use it in accordance with my dictates, I can take it from you and give it to another person. I am the only One who has that authority,” he said.
The President also disclosed that he prayed for wisdom and resilience to continue serving Nigerians, expressing confidence that his prayers had been answered.
“Well, I asked for wisdom and resilience to continue to serve the people. I know that prayer has been granted,” he said.
Tinubu expressed appreciation to Saudi Arabia’s King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for granting him and members of his delegation access to pray inside the Ka’abah, describing the experience as a historic honour.
He reaffirmed his commitment to Nigeria’s development, saying he remained determined to pursue national prosperity and fulfil the aspirations of the 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 stated.
On the economy, Tinubu expressed optimism about the country’s financial outlook, describing its economic foundation as solid and saying Nigeria had emerged from a difficult period.
“The foundation is solid, and the economy has come out of the dark tunnel. This is inspiring,” he said.
The President also emphasised the importance of investing in young Nigerians, warning that leaders must prioritise the future of the next generation if they hope to leave a lasting legacy.
“We need to build a future for our youth. If we don’t invest in their future, how do we want to be remembered as leaders 50 years from now?” he asked.
Members of the presidential delegation included Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi; Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Ali Pate; and governors from Borno, Sokoto, Jigawa, Kaduna, Yobe and Kwara states.
Business leaders Abdulsamad Rabiu and Wale Tinubu were also part of the delegation.
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