The Presidency has dismissed speculation that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s scheduled journey to Saudi Arabia is connected to medical treatment, insisting that the visit is strictly for religious purposes.
Segun Dada, Special Assistant to the President on Social Media, made the clarification following questions raised by Omoyele Sowore, political activist and presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), about the President’s health and the reason for his planned trip.
Dada explained that Tinubu would travel to Makkah to perform Umrah, commonly referred to as the Lesser Hajj, and offer prayers for Nigeria’s peace, stability and development.
He added that the President would also seek divine guidance concerning his anticipated bid for re-election in 2027.
The presidential aide maintained that the journey was a religious undertaking rather than a medical mission, noting that Muslims regularly perform pilgrimages and seek spiritual guidance before important milestones.
“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,” Dada said.
He recalled that Tinubu undertook similar journeys to Makkah in April and December 2022, before the All Progressives Congress presidential primary and the 2023 general election.
According to Dada, those earlier visits demonstrated that the President’s decision to undertake the pilgrimage was consistent with his religious practices.
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He also challenged suggestions that Tinubu was experiencing health problems, pointing to the President’s recent public engagements and official responsibilities.
Dada said Tinubu travelled to Kaduna on Saturday to inaugurate his re-election campaign. He subsequently met with Dr Akinwumi Adesina, former president of the African Development Bank, and Ola Awakan, Director-General of the Nigerian Tourism Development Authority.
The presidential aide further cited Tinubu’s chairmanship of a Federal Executive Council meeting in Abuja, during which government decisions were considered.
“Mr Sowore, a ‘sick person’ would not have this many itineraries to accomplish,” Dada stated.
The exchange followed comments attributed to Sowore questioning the timing and circumstances of the President’s planned departure.
Meanwhile, Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, announced that Tinubu was scheduled to leave Abuja on Thursday for Makkah.
Onanuga said the pilgrimage would provide the President with an opportunity for spiritual reflection, devotion and prayers for Nigeria’s unity, peace, stability and continued progress.
Before departing Abuja, Tinubu was scheduled to commission equipment acquired by the Nigerian Air Force at the Presidential Wing of Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport.
The President is expected to return to Nigeria next week after completing the religious exercise.
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