Atiku asks Presidency for daily proof of Tinubu's Umrah in Makkah
- Atiku Abubakar wants daily date-stamped photos and videos of President Tinubu at the Kaaba.
- He alleges the Umrah trip may be a cover for a visit to France, which the Presidency has not addressed.
- The Presidency says Tinubu leaves Abuja on Thursday for Makkah and returns next week.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar don ask Presidency to release fresh, date-stamped photos and videos every day wey go show President Bola Tinubu at the Kaaba and as e dey take part in the rites of Umrah in Makkah.
The request come on Wednesday, hours after presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga announce say Tinubu go leave Abuja on Thursday go Saudi Arabia to pray for Nigeria, and e go return next week.
For one statement wey Phrank Shaibu, Director of Strategic Communication of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) Presidential Campaign Council, issue, Atiku talk say Nigerians deserve verifiable proof say the President dey Holy Land and clear account of wetin e dey do there.
Wetin Atiku dey ask
Atiku allege say the pilgrimage announcement fit be "smokescreen or subterfuge", and talk say information wey e get point to France as the President actual destination. E talk say there is reason to believe say Tinubu fit just show face small for Makkah before e go France.
E also ask whether the trip get connection with the President health and one reported $20 billion loan request wey involve one French business partner. E urge the Presidency to disclose the President full itinerary and explain how dem dey fund the trip.
"No one should invoke the name of Almighty Allah in vain," Atiku talk, and add say spiritual mission wey dem undertake for the nation must handle with seriousness and transparency.
E talk say e and other Nigerians go join the President in prayers for the country peace and progress.
The Presidency never respond to the statement as of Wednesday night, according to the reports.
Why e matter to Nigerians
Na public money dem dey use pay for presidential travel, and Nigerians don repeatedly question the cost of official trips at a time when many households dey struggle with prices and fuel costs. A trip wey dem present as national prayer mission dey draw extra attention because e carry religious weight.
The back-and-forth also come ahead of the 2027 general election, with Atiku, the ADC presidential candidate, dey position himself as a check on the President conduct.
Tinubu just return from a four-week vacation in Europe, and e arrive Lagos from Paris on September 29. On his return e dismiss rumours about his health, talk say e "healthy, sound and ready to go".
Before e leave Abuja on Thursday, dem expect the President to commission equipment wey Nigerian Air Force acquire at the Presidential Wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport.
Wetin go happen next: The Presidency never answer Atiku questions or talk whether e go release daily images. Nigerians go dey watch whether the promised proof go follow.
