The Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate for the 2027 elections, Atiku Abubakar, has challenged President Bola Tinubu to launch each day, date-stamped pictures and movies of himself performing Umrah in Makkah, Saudi Arabia, amid allegations that France could also be his precise vacation spot.
Atiku alleged that Tinubu’s introduced pilgrimage could possibly be a “smokescreen or subterfuge,” claiming that credible intelligence accessible to him advised the President may journey to France after making a quick look in Makkah.
The former vice-president made the allegations in a press release issued on Wednesday by Phrank Shaibu, Director of Strategic Communication of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) Presidential Campaign Council.
Tinubu is scheduled to depart Abuja on Thursday for Makkah to carry out Umrah, an Islamic pilgrimage, and pray for Nigeria’s peace, unity, stability and progress.
According to the Presidency, the President is anticipated to return to Nigeria subsequent week after finishing the non secular train.
Reacting to the announcement, Atiku questioned whether or not the journey was related to Tinubu’s well being and a reported $20 billion mortgage request involving a French enterprise companion.
He referred to as on the Presidency to handle the issues and disclose the President’s full itinerary.
Atiku stated the Presidency ought to present verifiable proof of Tinubu’s presence in Makkah if his acknowledged function for travelling to Saudi Arabia have been to hope for Nigeria.
“If President Tinubu is truly travelling to pray for Nigeria, the Presidency should release clear, current, date-stamped photographs and videos each day showing him at the Kaaba and participating in the rites of Umrah,” the assertion stated.
The former vice-president added that Nigerians deserved proof of the President’s presence within the holy metropolis and a clear account of his each day actions through the journey.
Atiku additionally stated he and different Nigerians would be part of Tinubu in providing prayers for the nation’s peace and progress.
However, he cautioned in opposition to invoking the identify of Allah with out sincerity, insisting {that a} non secular mission undertaken on behalf of the nation must be handled with seriousness and transparency.
The ADC marketing campaign council’s assertion additional argued that an official journey introduced as a mission for Nigeria was a matter of public curiosity.
It stated Nigerians have been entitled to know the President’s each day engagements and the way the journey was being funded.
Atiku consequently urged the Presidency to reply to the questions and supply what he described because the proof Nigerians deserved.
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