*Atiku Alleges Trip A Decoy To France
PRESIDENT Bola Tinubu departs Abuja on Thursday, October 29, for Makkah, Saudi Arabia, to perform Umrah, an Islamic pilgrimage involving prayers and other religious rites.
A statement on Wednesday, October 28, by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said the visit will provide Tinubu an opportunity for spiritual reflection and prayers for Nigeria’s peace, unity, stability and continued progress.
The statement added that while in Makkah, the President was expected to perform the religious rites associated with Umrah and seek Allah’s guidance and blessings for Nigeria and its people.
Tinubu will, prior to his departure, commission equipment acquired by the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) at the Presidential Wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA).
He is expected to return to Nigeria next week.
However, former vice president and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, accused the President of using the trip as a cover for an alleged visit to France.
Atiku claimed that information available to him suggested that Tinubu might make a brief stop in Makkah before proceeding to France, contrary to the Presidency’s statement that he was travelling to Saudi Arabian city to perform the lesser Hajj.
He did not offer any evidence to substantiate the claim.
The former vice president, in a statement issued on Wednesday by the Director of Strategic Communication of the ADC Presidential Campaign Council, Phrank Shaibu, questioned the purpose of the trip, which he described as a possible smokescreen, demanding greater transparency from the Presidency.
The statement urged the Presidency to publish current, date-stamped photographs and videos showing Tinubu at the Kaaba and participating in the rites of Umrah throughout the visit.
Atiku said Nigerians deserved verifiable information about Tinubu’s whereabouts and daily activities during an official trip undertaken in the country’s name.
He also questioned whether the journey was connected to Tinubu’s health and his recent $20billion loan request involving a French business partner.
The ADC presidential candidate urged the Presidency to clarify the concerns and disclose Tinubu’s full itinerary, saying Nigerians have a legitimate interest in knowing the President’s engagements during the trip and how the journey was being funded.
He stated that he and other Nigerians would join the President in praying for the country’s peace and progress, even as he stressed that a pilgrimage presented as a spiritual mission on behalf of the country should be treated with seriousness and transparency.
