LIFESTYLE Culture

Tinubu’s Saudi Trip for Umrah, Not Medical Treatment, Presidency Says

by admin on | 2026-10-29 12:44:15

Share: Facebook | Twitter | Whatsapp | Linkedin Visits: 18

By Muhammad Abdullahi

The Presidency has dismissed suggestions that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s planned visit to Saudi Arabia is connected to medical treatment, insisting that the journey is strictly for religious purposes, including prayers for Nigeria’s peace, stability and the President’s re-election bid in 2027.

Special Assistant to the President on Social Media, Segun Dada, made the clarification in response to allegations by political activist and presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore, who raised concerns about the President’s health and questioned the purpose of his scheduled trip to Saudi Arabia.

Dada maintained that President Tinubu would be travelling to Makkah to perform Umrah, also known as the Lesser Hajj, in keeping with Islamic religious practices.

"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," he stated.

The presidential aide explained that seeking divine guidance before major undertakings was a longstanding religious practice among Muslims, describing the President’s planned pilgrimage as consistent with his previous spiritual engagements.

He recalled that the Nigerian Leader, President Tinubu undertook similar pilgrimages to Makkah in April and December 2022, ahead of the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential primary and the 2023 general election.

According to Dada, the President's decision to return to the Holy City reflects his continued reliance on prayer and spiritual reflection ahead of significant political engagements.

"This is not new... it is a regular practice among Muslims when they want to embark on any critical journey or attain a milestone," he said.

Dada also rejected suggestions that the President was experiencing health challenges, citing his recent official and political engagements as evidence of his continued participation in governance.

He noted that the President was in Kaduna on Saturday to inaugurate his re-election campaign and subsequently held separate engagements with former President of the African Development Bank, Dr Akinwumi Adesina, and Director-General of the Nigerian Tourism Development Authority, Ola Awakan.

The presidential aide further referenced the President’s chairmanship of the Federal Executive Council meeting in Abuja, during which several government decisions were taken.

"Mr Sowore, a 'sick person' would not have this many itineraries to accomplish," Dada stated, while maintaining that the President remained capable of discharging his official responsibilities.

His remarks followed comments attributed to Sowore in sections of the media, in which the opposition figure questioned the timing and circumstances surrounding the President's planned journey to Saudi Arabia.

Meanwhile, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Mr Bayo Onanuga, had announced in a statement on Wednesday that President Tinubu would depart Abuja on Thursday for Makkah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, to perform Umrah.

Onanuga explained that the pilgrimage would provide the President with an opportunity for spiritual reflection, devotion and prayers for Nigeria’s peace, unity, stability and continued progress.

He added that President Tinubu would perform the religious rites associated with Umrah while seeking Allah’s guidance and blessings for the country and its people.

Before departing Abuja, the President is scheduled to commission equipment acquired by the Nigerian Air Force for its operations at the Presidential Wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport.

President Tinubu is expected to return to Nigeria next week following the completion of the spiritual exercise.