President Bola Tinubu’s recent visit to Saudi Arabia has triggered another political exchange after Phrank Shaibu, a senior aide to former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, questioned the political messaging surrounding the trip.
Speaking on television, Shaibu described the visit as a “political Umrah”, arguing that the President’s spiritual journey had become unnecessarily connected to his political ambitions.
He also questioned the presentation of the trip as an occasion to pray for Nigeria, insisting that it was primarily a personal religious exercise.
Tinubu had travelled to Makkah to perform Umrah, with the Presidency saying the visit would provide an opportunity for spiritual reflection and prayers for Nigeria’s peace, unity and progress.
The President later described the experience as deeply spiritual.
Shaibu’s comments have added another layer to the political exchanges between the ruling APC and the opposition ADC as the 2027 presidential contest draws closer.
The debate has also generated reactions because religious activities and political messaging can be sensitive subjects in a country as religiously diverse as Nigeria.
While politicians continue to exchange arguments, the bigger issues facing Nigerians remain the economy, security and the cost of living.
