[VIDEO] Umrah: No Second Term Can Be Given To Anybody Via Spiritual Claim — Atiku’s Spokesperson

Director of Strategic Communication of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) Presidential Campaign Council, Phrank Shaibu, has criticised President Bola Tinubu’s trip to Saudi Arabia for Umrah, saying a second term in office cannot be guaranteed via a spiritual claim.

The spokesperson for the ADC presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, stated this during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Monday.

Shaibu said that visiting the holy land should be a personal affair and not national, accusing Tinubu’s supporters of politicising the event.



He questioned the President’s faith, saying former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, would not remain in custody if Tinubu had sincerity of faith.

Shaibu also accused the President of speaking into a mic in Saudi Arabia while Nigerians “are dying of hunger”.

He said that Tinubu administration’s claim that the economy has improved is false, as many Nigerians are facing hardship.

According to him, Nigerians will remember Tinubu’s prayer in Mecca the same way they remember the high prices of food, goods and services.

Asked whether Atiku would have accompanied Tinubu to Saudi Arabia if he had been invited, the aide said that the former vice president sponsored the President’s first trip to Mecca.

On the chances of the ADC candidate in the 2027 presidential election across the northern states, Shaibu said Atiku is home and dry in the region.

Tinubu departed Abuja for Makkah on October 29, where he performed the religious rites associated with Umrah, seeking Allah’s guidance and blessings for Nigeria and its people.

Speaking shortly after completing the religious rites, which he described as a spiritual experience and an opportunity to pray for Nigeria, the President said he felt fulfilled.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate in the 2027 general elections also said that God has granted him the wisdom to continue to lead Nigerians.

“Well, I asked for wisdom and resilience to continue to serve the people. I know that has been granted.

“Prior to the 2023 election, I did the same thing. I asked Allah to bless my Umrah then. He did, and I promised that I would come back to thank him, Almighty Allah.

“There is no other God but him. He is the giver and the taker.

“He owns the power. He said, ‘Use it well. If you don’t use it in accordance with my dictates, I can take it from you and give it to another person,’ Tinubu told journalists.

“So, I have faith in that and believe extremely well that he has done me a favour to be the President of this great country.”