Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has challenged President Bola Tinubu to release daily, date-stamped visual proof of his presence in Makkah, alleging that the announced Umrah pilgrimage may be a smokescreen for a secret trip to France. ​The controversy follows an official announcement issued on Wednesday night, October 28, 2026, by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy.
Speaking from the State House in Abuja, Onanuga stated that President Tinubu is scheduled to depart the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport on Thursday, October 29, 2026, for Makkah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, to perform the lesser hajj (Umrah) and offer prayers for Nigeria’s peace, unity, stability, and economic progress before returning to the capital next week. ​
Reacting swiftly to the announcement, Atiku Abubakar issued a counter-statement through Phrank Shaibu, Director of Strategic Communication for the African Democratic Congress (ADC) Presidential Campaign Council. Atiku claimed that information available to his team suggests President Tinubu may only make a brief appearance at the holy sites in Makkah before secretly proceeding to France.
​To ensure full transparency, Atiku insisted that if the President is genuinely traveling to pray for the nation, the Presidency must publish clear, current, and date-stamped photographs and videos every single day showing him at the Kaaba and participating in the religious rites of Umrah.
He added that citizens deserve verifiable evidence of their leader’s whereabouts alongside a complete, transparent account of how the public-funded trip is being financed. ​
Furthermore, the opposition leader pressed the administration to clarify whether the journey is tied to lingering concerns regarding the President’s health or a reported $20 billion external loan request involving a French business partner, while demanding the immediate disclosure of the President’s full travel itinerary. ​
While assuring that he and millions of Nigerians would join in sincere prayers for the country’s peace and progress, Atiku cautioned against invoking the name of Almighty Allah in vain, emphasizing that any spiritual mission undertaken on behalf of the nation must be handled with utmost seriousness and public accountability.
As of late Wednesday evening, the Presidency had not issued a formal rebuttal, with President Tinubu still expected to proceed with his scheduled departure from Abuja on Thursday morning.
