Former Vice President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has challenged President Bola Tinubu to provide daily photographic and video evidence of his announced Umrah pilgrimage.
Atiku made the call through a statement by Phrank Shaibu, Director of Strategic Communication of the ADC Presidential Campaign Council.
He questioned whether the President’s actual destination is Saudi Arabia or France, alleging that the pilgrimage announcement could be a cover for a trip to France.
According to the statement, intelligence available to Atiku suggests that Tinubu may make only a brief appearance in Makkah before travelling to France. The statement, however, did not provide details of the intelligence cited.
The former Vice President also raised questions about the purpose of the reported trip, linking his concerns to the President’s health and an alleged $20 billion loan request involving a French business partner. He urged the Presidency to clarify the issues and disclose Tinubu’s full travel itinerary.
Atiku said if the trip is indeed for Umrah to pray for Nigeria, the Presidency should publish clear, current and date-stamped photos and videos daily showing Tinubu at the Kaaba and observing the rites.
He said Nigerians should be able to verify the President’s presence in Makkah and how he spends his time during the pilgrimage.
The former Vice President said he and other Nigerians would join the President in praying for peace and progress, but warned against invoking the name of Allah in vain, arguing that a spiritual journey undertaken for the nation should be approached with sincerity and transparency.
He argued that the President’s itinerary and funding of the trip are matters of public interest because the journey was presented as a mission for Nigeria.
Atiku called on the Presidency to respond directly to the questions raised and provide information that would allow Nigerians to establish the President’s whereabouts and daily engagements.