Atiku Demands Daily Photo, Video Evidence of Tinubu’s Umrah Trip

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has challenged President Bola Tinubu to provide daily photographic and video evidence of his presence in Makkah, Saudi Arabia, during his announced Umrah pilgrimage.

Atiku, through a statement issued on Wednesday by Phrank Shaibu, Director of Strategic Communication of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) Presidential Campaign Council, questioned the President’s declared itinerary and alleged that he might travel to France after briefly visiting Makkah.

The former vice president called on the Presidency to release current, date-stamped photographs and videos showing Tinubu at the Kaaba and participating in the Islamic pilgrimage rites.

He argued that Nigerians were entitled to know the President’s whereabouts, daily engagements and the funding arrangements for a trip presented as an opportunity to pray for the country.

The demand followed an announcement by the Presidency on October 28 that Tinubu would depart Abuja on Thursday, October 29, for Makkah to perform Umrah.

In the statement signed by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, the Presidency said the visit would provide an opportunity for spiritual reflection and prayers for Nigeria’s peace, unity, stability and progress.

It added that Tinubu would perform the religious rites associated with Umrah and was expected to return to Nigeria the following week.

However, Atiku alleged that information available to him suggested France might be the President’s actual destination, raising the possibility that Tinubu could make a brief appearance in Makkah before proceeding to the European country.

He also questioned whether the trip was connected to the President’s health and a reported $20 billion loan request involving a French business partner.

The allegations were contained in the statement issued on Atiku’s behalf. The evidence examined for this report did not independently establish that France was Tinubu’s intended destination beyond the announced pilgrimage or that the trip was connected to the reported loan request.

Atiku urged the Presidency to address the concerns and provide what he described as verifiable evidence of the President’s activities during the visit.

He nevertheless said he and other Nigerians would join Tinubu in praying for the country’s peace and progress, while insisting that the announced spiritual exercise should be treated with seriousness and transparency.

The Presidency’s October 28 announcement identified Makkah as the destination and said Tinubu would use the visit to seek divine guidance and blessings for Nigeria and its people.

As of the latest official statement examined for this report, the Presidency had not published a response specifically addressing Atiku’s demand for daily photographic and video evidence.

The demand has placed the President’s travel itinerary and the public’s access to information about his official engagements at the centre of the latest political exchange.