Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has alleged that President Bola Tinubu’s announced Umrah pilgrimage is being used as a smokescreen, claiming that credible intelligence points to France as the true destination. The accusation was released in a statement signed by Phrank Shaibu, Director of Strategic Communication for the ADC Presidential Campaign Council.
What did Atiku claim?
He said there is reason to believe Tinubu may only make a brief appearance in Makkah before proceeding to France. The former vice‑president also connected the journey to a reported US$20 billion loan request involving a French business partner, a deal that has sparked debate over its potential impact on Nigeria’s economy.
Background to the pilgrimage
President Tinubu announced in early June that he would travel to Saudi Arabia for Umrah in the first week of July, a move that was initially welcomed by many Nigerians as a sign of personal piety. However, past overseas trips by the president have drawn scrutiny over transparency, cost, and the need for parliamentary approval under the constitution.
Why demand daily proof?
Atiku urged the Presidency to release clear, date‑stamped photographs and video footage each day showing Tinubu at the Kaaba and performing the rites of Umrah. He stated, “If President Tinubu is truly traveling to pray for Nigeria, the Presidency should release clear, current, date‑stamped photographs and videos each day showing him at the Kaaba and participating in the rites of Umrah.”
Call for transparency on funding
The former vice‑president warned that invoking the name of Almighty Allah without verifiable evidence is inappropriate and that any mission presented as a national spiritual undertaking must be handled with full openness. He emphasized that Nigerians are entitled to know the President’s daily engagements and how the trip is being financed, urging the Presidency to disclose the full itinerary and answer the raised questions plainly.
Legal and constitutional context
Nigeria’s constitution requires presidential foreign travel to be approved by the National Assembly, and the public has a right to be informed about the purpose and funding of such trips. Atiku’s demand for daily visual evidence and a transparent itinerary reflects these legal expectations.
Overall, Atiku’s statement frames the Umrah pilgrimage as a matter of public interest, insisting that Nigerians deserve verifiable proof of the President’s presence in the Holy Land and a clear account of how the mission is being funded.