The Director of Strategic Communication of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) Presidential Campaign Council, Phrank Shaibu, has said President Bola Tinubu’s recent Umrah pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia will not guarantee his re-election in 2027.
Shaibu made the remarks during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Monday night, November 2, where he criticised what he described as attempts by the President’s supporters to give political significance to his religious journey.
He argued that spiritual activities should remain personal acts of devotion rather than being presented as national political events, stressing that religious pilgrimages do not determine electoral outcomes.
The ADC spokesman also questioned the direction and sincerity of the Tinubu administration, claiming that Nigerians continue to grapple with severe economic hardship despite the government’s positive projections about the economy.
According to him, voters will assess the President’s performance based on their living conditions, particularly the rising cost of living, rather than his religious activities abroad.
When asked whether former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar would have accepted an invitation to join Tinubu in Saudi Arabia, Shaibu claimed that Atiku had previously supported the President’s trips to Mecca.
He also expressed confidence in Atiku’s political standing across northern Nigeria, declaring that the former vice-president remains “home and dry” in the region.
Tinubu departed Abuja for Makkah on October 29 to perform Umrah, describing the pilgrimage as an opportunity to seek divine guidance, wisdom and resilience in governing the country.
The President also recalled undertaking a similar pilgrimage before the 2023 general election, saying he had returned to Saudi Arabia to fulfil his promise to thank Allah for answering his prayers.
“Prior to the 2023 election, I did the same thing. I asked Allah to bless my Umrah then. He did, and I promised that I would come back to thank him, Almighty Allah,” Tinubu said.
Dear readers, we really need your support to keep on serving you with authoritative, truthful, and juicy stories everyday. For your support, please reach out to the editor @gavelinternational66@gmail.com
