A presidential aide, Dada Olusegun, has dismissed claims that President Bola Tinubu’s planned trip to Saudi Arabia is for medical treatment, saying the President is travelling to perform the lesser Hajj, Umrah.
Mr Olusegun, the Special Adviser to the President on Social Media, said Tinubu would also use the trip to pray for Nigeria and commit his 2027 re-election bid to God.
He made the clarification on Thursday in response to claims by human rights activist and 2027 presidential candidate of the African Action Congress, Omoyele Sowore, who had linked the planned trip to concerns about the President’s health.
Aide dismisses medical treatment claim
Mr Olusegun said the President was not travelling to Saudi Arabia for medical treatment, describing the Umrah pilgrimage as a regular religious practice.
He recalled that Tinubu performed Umrah twice in 2022, first in April before the APC presidential primary and again in December ahead of the 2023 presidential election.
According to him, the President’s prayers were answered on both occasions, making the latest pilgrimage part of a familiar spiritual practice ahead of another major political milestone.
He said Tinubu would pray for Nigeria and seek divine guidance as he pursues re-election in 2027.
Presidency confirms Makkah trip
The Presidency had earlier announced that Tinubu would depart Abuja on Thursday for Makkah to perform Umrah.
Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said the visit would provide an opportunity for spiritual reflection and prayers for Nigeria’s peace, unity, stability and progress.
Before his departure, the President was expected to commission equipment acquired by the Nigerian Air Force at the Presidential Wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport.
Tinubu is expected to return to Nigeria next week after completing the spiritual exercise.
Aide cites Tinubu’s recent engagements
Defending the President against concerns over his health, Mr Olusegun pointed to his recent official engagements.
He cited Tinubu’s attendance at the APC re-election campaign flag-off in Kaduna, his meeting with former African Development Bank President Akinwumi Adesina and his separate audience with the Director-General of the Nigerian Tourism Development Authority, Ola Awakan.
He also noted that the President chaired the Federal Executive Council meeting on Wednesday.
Mr Olusegun argued that the President’s schedule demonstrated that he remained active and capable of carrying out his official responsibilities.
He said suggestions that the Saudi trip was for medical treatment were unfounded, insisting that Tinubu was in good health.
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