Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has challenged President Bola Tinubu to provide daily photographic and video evidence of his announced Umrah pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia, alleging that the President may instead be heading to France.
Atiku, the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), made the allegation on Wednesday, October 28, 2026, through a statement issued by Phrank Shaibu, Director of Strategic Communication of the ADC Presidential Campaign Council.
Shaibu claimed that intelligence available to Atiku suggested that France, rather than Saudi Arabia, could be the President’s actual destination.
The allegation followed an announcement by the Presidency that Tinubu would depart Abuja on Thursday for Makkah, Saudi Arabia, to perform Umrah and pray for Nigeria.
In a statement signed by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, the State House said the pilgrimage would offer Tinubu an opportunity for spiritual reflection and prayers for the country’s peace, unity, stability and progress.
According to Onanuga, the President would undertake the religious rites associated with Umrah and seek Allah’s guidance and blessings for Nigeria and its citizens.
Before leaving the country, Tinubu is also scheduled to commission equipment acquired by the Nigerian Air Force at the Presidential Wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja.
The Presidency said the President was expected to return to Nigeria next week after completing the pilgrimage.
However, Atiku expressed doubts about the stated purpose and destination of the trip, alleging that Tinubu might make a brief stop in Makkah before proceeding to France.
He consequently called for daily photographic and video updates to establish the President’s whereabouts throughout the trip.
The former vice president also raised questions about whether the journey could be linked to concerns over Tinubu’s health and reports of Nigeria’s request for a fresh $20 billion loan involving a French business partner.
Atiku’s claims have not been independently verified, and the Presidency’s announcement identified Makkah as the destination of the President’s planned religious trip.
The development comes amid heightened political exchanges between opposition figures and the Tinubu administration as political activities ahead of the 2027 general election gather momentum.
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