Omoyele Sowore, presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), has criticised President Bola Tinubu’s planned trip to Saudi Arabia, questioning the timing of the journey amid Nigeria’s economic and security challenges.
Sowore expressed his concerns in a post on X on Wednesday, October 28, following the Presidency’s announcement that Tinubu would travel to Makkah on Thursday to perform Umrah, an Islamic pilgrimage.
The activist questioned the circumstances surrounding the planned journey and compared it with the overseas travels of former President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, who travelled to Germany for medical treatment before later visiting Saudi Arabia.
Sowore’s comments also raised questions about reports concerning Tinubu’s health and the composition of the delegation expected to accompany him. However, these concerns were raised by Sowore and have not been independently established as facts.
The Presidency, in its announcement, said the visit would give Tinubu an opportunity for spiritual reflection and prayers for Nigeria’s peace, unity, stability and progress.
According to the statement issued by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Tinubu was scheduled to commission equipment acquired by the Nigerian Air Force at the Presidential Wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja before departing for Saudi Arabia.
The Presidency also stated that the President was expected to return to Nigeria the following week after completing the pilgrimage. Sowore’s remarks have added to the political debate surrounding the President’s foreign travels, with opposition figures raising questions about transparency and the need to keep Nigerians informed about official engagements.
The development comes as political parties and opposition leaders continue to scrutinise the administration’s decisions ahead of the 2027 general elections.
While the Presidency has described the trip as a religious exercise intended to seek divine guidance for the country, critics have called for greater clarity regarding the President’s itinerary and official engagements.
