The Chairman of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Professor Abdullahi Saleh Usman, has dismissed allegations regarding the cancellation of Masha’ir contracts, describing them as an attempt to tarnish his reputation as an Islamic scholar and administrator.
Professor Usman clarified on Monday that Saudi authorities, not NAHCON, made the controversial cancellation of contracts for service providers during Hajj 2025. He assured that the development would not affect the participation of Nigerian pilgrims.
Explaining the situation, Professor Usman stated that two companies originally contracted for the Hajj services had their agreements revoked and later reinstated by Saudi authorities before being cancelled again.
“This is why I hurriedly travelled to Saudi Arabia to meet with the authorities concerned,” he said.
“A meeting was scheduled yesterday (Sunday) but could not be held for some reason, so it has been shifted to today.”
He further stressed that NAHCON had no hand in the cancellation.
“We want this disagreement between the companies and the Saudi authority not to affect NAHCON’s arrangements. This is why I am meeting with them today,” he added.
Professor Usman also called for a clear decision on the contracts. “If they want to renew the contract, let them do it once and for all. If they want to substitute them, this should be made clear. This would be done instantly to avoid hitches,” he said.
Meanwhile, NAHCON’s Commissioner in charge of Operations, Prince Anofi Elegushi, dismissed claims that Vice President Kashim Shettima had influenced decisions about selecting a service provider for Nigerian pilgrims.
“As far as I know, the Vice President only acts based on recommendations made to him by the NAHCON Chairman,” Mr Elegushi said in a telephone interview with Hajj Reporters on Wednesday.
He explained that Professor Usman had advised the Vice President to cancel the contract with Mashariq Al Dhahabia due to concerns over its standing within the NUSUK Hajj package platform.
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