Atiku Questions Tinubu’s Saudi Trip, Demands Full Itinerary

Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has questioned President Bola Tinubu’s announced Umrah pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia, alleging that it could be used to conceal a possible trip to France.

Atiku called on the Presidency to disclose the President’s complete itinerary and clarify the purpose of his foreign engagements.

He also raised questions about Tinubu’s health and a reported $20 billion loan request involving a French business partner, urging the Presidency to provide explanations.

The former vice-president made the allegations in a statement issued on Wednesday by Phrank Shaibu, Director of Strategic Communication of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) Presidential Campaign Council.

Atiku said intelligence available to him suggested that Tinubu might make a brief stop in Makkah before proceeding to France, but provided no details to substantiate the claim.

He challenged the Presidency to release current, date-stamped photographs and videos showing the President at the Kaaba and participating in the daily rites of Umrah.

Atiku said he and other Nigerians would join the President in praying for the country’s peace and progress but cautioned against invoking Allah’s name in vain.

He maintained that the President’s itinerary and the funding of the trip were matters of public interest, insisting that Nigerians deserved transparency regarding official engagements conducted in the country’s name.

The former vice-president urged the Presidency to address the allegations and provide verifiable evidence of the President’s activities during the pilgrimage.