By Ibrahim Kegbegbe
FCT, Abuja -October 29, 2026
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has challenged President Bola Tinubu to provide daily photographic and video evidence of his announced Umrah pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia, questioning the President’s actual travel destination and demanding transparency over his itinerary.
Atiku made the demand in a statement issued on Wednesday by Phrank Shaibu, Director of Strategic Communication of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) Presidential Campaign Council.
The former Vice President alleged that information available to him suggested that France might be the President’s actual destination, despite the announcement that he would travel to Makkah to perform Umrah.
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According to Atiku, there are concerns that Tinubu might make only a brief appearance in Makkah before proceeding to France. He urged the Presidency to disclose the President’s full itinerary and clarify the purpose of the trip.
Atiku also raised questions about the President’s health and an alleged $20 billion loan request involving a French business partner, calling on the Presidency to address the issues.
He argued that if Tinubu’s visit was genuinely intended to seek divine intervention for Nigeria, the Presidency should release clear, current and date-stamped photographs and videos showing the President at the Kaaba and participating in the rites of Umrah each day.
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Atiku said Nigerians deserved verifiable evidence of the President’s presence in the Holy Land, alongside a transparent account of his daily engagements and the funding of the trip.
The former Vice President added that he and other Nigerians would join the President in prayers for the country’s peace and progress, while cautioning against invoking the name of Allah without sincerity.
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He maintained that an official foreign trip presented as a spiritual mission on behalf of Nigeria was a matter of public interest and urged the Presidency to respond to the concerns raised.
The statement was signed by Shaibu on October 28, 2026.
The Merit Newspaper reports that the allegations and questions raised by Atiku reflect his position as conveyed in the statement. The Presidency’s response was not included in the release.
