Atiku Sponsored Tinubu’s First Trip To Holy Land Saudi Arabia — Phrank Shaibu Claims

Phrank Shaibu, media aide to former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, has claimed that his principal sponsored President Bola Tinubu’s first trip to the Holy Land in Saudi Arabia.

Shaibu made the claim on Politics Today while reacting to Tinubu’s recent pilgrimage to Makkah for the lesser Hajj, also known as Umrah.

According to him, religious pilgrimages are personal matters that should not be politicised, accusing the President of turning his spiritual journey into a political issue.

“The first time Tinubu went to the Holy Land in Saudi Arabia, it was on the bills of Atiku. It’s on record. He should contest it,” Shaibu said.

He maintained that Atiku sponsored Tinubu’s trip out of generosity and his commitment to helping others strengthen their relationship with God.

“Atiku Abubakar, in his magnanimity, sponsored President Tinubu to the Holy Land because of his love for people and the Almighty. Atiku loves bringing people to know God,” he added.

Shaibu said his principal had consistently treated religious activities as private affairs, citing Atiku’s participation in Umrah during the last Ramadan.

He said the former vice-president spent 30 days in Saudi Arabia performing the lesser Hajj during the holy month but did not publicise the trip.

“I just mentioned on this show that during the last Ramadan, Atiku was in Umrah for 30 days of the Ramadan. We didn’t issue a single statement to tell you where he was because it is personal,” he said.

The ADC presidential candidate’s aide argued that Tinubu’s pilgrimage should similarly be treated as a personal religious exercise rather than an opportunity for political messaging.

Shaibu’s remarks come amid public attention surrounding Tinubu’s trip to Makkah, where he is performing Umrah, Tinubu has said the pilgrimage was significant to him personally and to Nigeria as he had the opportunity to pray for the unity of Nigeria.

He defended his administration’s economic direction, saying “The foundation is solid, and the economy has come out of the dark tunnel.

President Tinubu also among other prayers said he asked Allah for wisdom and resilience to continue serving Nigerians and believed his prayers had been answered.