Former Kogi West Senator, Dino Melaye, has challenged President Bola Tinubu to a Quranic citation contest following the President’s recent spiritual visit to Saudi Arabia for the lesser Hajj, known as Umrah.
Melaye announced the challenge in a post on his X account on Monday, saying he was ready to compete with the President in Quranic citations after his return from Saudi Arabia.
“Now that Alhaji Bola Tinubu is in Umrah. Immediately he comes back, I challenge him to a Quranic citation competition with me. No one can mock God. SDM,” he wrote.
The challenge followed an account by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, detailing Tinubu’s spiritual activities in Saudi Arabia, including his visit to the Holy Ka’abah in Makkah.
Onanuga disclosed that Saudi Arabia’s King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud had granted Tinubu the opportunity to lead Nigeria’s delegation in prayers inside the sacred structure.
According to the presidential spokesman, Tinubu expressed gratitude to the Saudi monarch and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for the privilege, describing the experience as a historic and memorable spiritual encounter.
Speaking after the prayers, Tinubu said he had asked Almighty Allah for wisdom and resilience to continue leading the country.
“I asked for wisdom and resilience to continue to serve the people. I know that prayer has been granted,” the President said.
Tinubu also referenced Surah Aal-Imran, Verse 26 of the Quran, which addresses Allah’s supreme authority over power and sovereignty.
He said political authority was entrusted to individuals by God and should be exercised with humility and in the interest of the people.
“There is no other God but Almighty Allah. He is the giver and the taker. He owns power and authority,” Tinubu said.
The President further reaffirmed his commitment to Nigeria’s development, expressing optimism about the country’s economic recovery and pledging to prioritise investment in young people.
He said his commitment to the country had increased and expressed determination to pursue national prosperity with the support of Nigerians.
Those who accompanied the President on the visit included the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi; Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Ali Pate; and governors of Borno, Sokoto, Jigawa, Kaduna, Yobe and Kwara states, alongside business leaders.
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