Sowore Questions Tinubu's Saudi Umrah Trip for Prayers

Omoyele Sowore, the presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), has publicly questioned President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's upcoming trip to Saudi Arabia for Umrah, an Islamic pilgrimage. In a statement on his X account, Sowore asked whether Nigeria or Tinubu himself is in greater need of prayers, implying that the president's need for prayers is more urgent.

He criticized the Presidency's justification for the trip, which stated that Tinubu would pray for Nigeria's peace, unity, stability, and progress. Sowore drew parallels between Tinubu's travels and those of former President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, who sought medical treatment in Germany before going to Saudi Arabia.

Before departing from Abuja, Tinubu was also scheduled to commission equipment acquired by the Nigerian Air Force at the Presidential Wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport. The Presidency indicated that Tinubu is expected to return to Nigeria the following week after completing the pilgrimage.