Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has challenged the Presidency to provide verifiable details of President Bola Tinubu’s planned trip to Saudi Arabia, alleging that the announced Umrah pilgrimage could be a cover for a possible visit to France.
Atiku, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, claimed that information available to him suggested that Tinubu might make a brief stop in Makkah before proceeding to France.
The allegation was contained in a statement issued on Wednesday by Phrank Shaibu, Director of Strategic Communication of the ADC Presidential Campaign Council.
Atiku also questioned whether the reported itinerary had any connection with concerns about the President’s health and an alleged $20 billion loan request involving a French business partner.
He urged the Presidency to publish Tinubu’s complete travel schedule and explain the purpose of any engagements outside Saudi Arabia.
The challenge followed an announcement by presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga that Tinubu would depart Abuja on Thursday for Makkah to perform Umrah, the Islamic lesser pilgrimage.
According to the Presidency, the visit would provide the President an opportunity to pray for Nigeria and seek divine guidance for the country and its people.
Atiku, however, said the announcement had raised questions that required clear answers, insisting that Nigerians should not be left to rely solely on official assurances about the President’s movements.
He proposed that the Presidency release date-stamped photographs and videos showing Tinubu at the Kaaba and participating in the daily rites of the pilgrimage.
The former Vice President argued that such evidence would help establish the President’s presence in Makkah and provide greater clarity about his activities throughout the visit.
He maintained that an overseas trip presented as a spiritual mission for the country carried public-interest implications beyond the President’s personal religious observance.
Atiku further called for transparency regarding the President’s daily engagements and the funding of the trip, saying the Presidency should address the concerns directly.
Despite his allegations, Atiku said he and other Nigerians would join the President in praying for the nation’s peace and progress.
He also cautioned against invoking the name of Allah in vain, arguing that a pilgrimage undertaken in the name of national interest should be treated with sincerity and transparency.
The ADC presidential candidate urged the Presidency to provide the information necessary to resolve the controversy surrounding the announced journey.
The claims about Tinubu’s alleged destination, health and the reported loan remain allegations attributed to Atiku and were not independently established in the statement.
