Umrah or treatment? Tinubu jets to Saudi Arabia as Sowore asks “Like Yar'Adua?” and aide says he's “fit as a fiddle”
The Presidency says President Tinubu has gone to Makkah to perform Umrah and pray for Nigeria, returning “next week”. Activist Omoyele Sowore says it is about his health; the President's aide says he is “not heading to Saudi Arabia for medical treatment.”
The trip: in a statement on 28 October, presidential adviser Bayo Onanuga said Tinubu would leave Abuja for Makkah on Thursday 29 October for “spiritual reflection, devotion, and prayers for Nigeria's peace, unity, stability, and continued progress.” He is expected back “next week”; no exact date was given.
Sowore's claim: the AAC presidential candidate wrote on X: “Nigeria is in serious trouble!” He alleged that “five governors, some ministers, and prominent businessmen” were being assembled “to give it the appearance of an official business visit”, and asked: “Like Yar'Adua, like Tinubu?” These are allegations; Votewise has not verified them.
The Presidency's reply: Special Adviser on Social Media Dada Olusegun: “President Tinubu is not heading to Saudi Arabia for medical treatment… Mr President is fit as a fiddle.” He noted Tinubu also performed Umrah twice in 2022. Onanuga has previously called claims about the President's health “entirely false.”
Why the questions persist: Tinubu spent about four weeks in the UK and France between 30 August and 29 September, and Sowore questioned his health again after the Kaduna flag-off rally. The election is on 16 January 2027.
Not announced: who travelled with the President, the cost of the trip, an exact return date, or any official meetings in Saudi Arabia.
Sources
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