Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Special Duties, Tunde Rahman, has described President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Umrah pilgrimage to Makkah, Saudi Arabia, as timely in the lead-up to the 2027 general election.
Speaking to State House correspondents in Makkah, the presidential aide recalled that since joining working with the President in the year 2016, the President Tinubu had maintained a consistent tradition of undertaking religious pilgrimages and offering prayers for the country.
“Mr. President has always been somebody who believes in regular spiritual rejuvenation it has always been part of his life. I recall over the years, from about 2016, that I joined him. There’s never been a year that we didn’t come to seek the face of our Almighty Allah.”
READ ALSO: Kebbi Pilgrims Agency Chairman Donates Vehicles To APC Stakeholders
Rahman expressed hope that the forthcoming elections would be peaceful, free, fair and credible.
Other members of the President’s entourage, including state governors, business leaders and political stakeholders, also highlighted the significance of the pilgrimage, with particular emphasis on national unity, security and Nigeria’s democratic future.
Chairman of BUA Group, Abdul Samad Rabiu, described the opportunity to accompany President Tinubu to the Holy Land as a privilege, expressing optimism that the prayers offered would contribute to lasting peace and unity across Nigeria.
Rabiu further expressed hope that the pilgrimage would bring divine blessings to Nigeria and contribute to the successful conduct of the forthcoming elections.
Similarly, Borno State Governor Professor Babagana Umara Zulum identified lasting peace and national unity as essential conditions for Nigeria’s stability and progress, urging collective efforts towards peaceful elections.
“ the most important thing is for the return of peace and tranquillity to Nigeria. We pray that Almighty Allah shall give us lasting peace and tranquillity in Nigeria.” He said.
Governor Zulum expressed optimism that the country would experience a peaceful electoral process and a better future for its citizens.
For his part, Adamawa State Governor Ahmadu Fintiri highlighted the importance of seeking divine guidance in the nation’s democratic process, especially in ensuring that the forthcoming elections produce leadership that serves the interests of Nigerians.
“Well, the Lesser Hajj is part of the religious rites, and we have joined Mr President to come and pray for the country and pray for the success of our election and, at the same time, to ask God to choose what is the best for Nigerians.”
Sokoto State Governor Ahmed Aliyu described his participation in the pilgrimage alongside the President as fulfilling, noting that the gathering provided an opportunity for national leaders to offer collective prayers for Nigeria’s peace, stability and progress.
“Let me start by saying that today I’ve been very fulfilled that I’m among the leaders. of our nation, and as you can observe, we are here in a large number to support our leader, to pray for our country, to pray for the victory and the success of our election, and the peace and the stability and the progress of the organisation.”
Also speaking, Director-General of the All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign Council, Abdulaziz Yari, said the party would continue engaging Nigerians ahead of the 2027 elections by highlighting the administration’s achievements and seeking public support.
“That’s all the procedure we have been under the protocol to campaign, to talk to people, to convince them to show them what we have done, what we achieved, and by God’ grace, people will be convinced to elect us.”
Yari maintained that while political engagement remained necessary, the ultimate outcome of the elections rested with Almighty Allah.
Meanwhile, Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani called for stronger cooperation between citizens and security agencies in addressing insecurity, stressing that government efforts must be complemented by public responsibility and patriotism.
Governor Sani expressed concern over reports of alleged connivance and inadequate cooperation by some members of society, noting that such conduct could undermine efforts to tackle security challenges.
“Even there are some members of the society who have not been giving necessary cooperation to the relevant security agencies. We have to pray for everyone so that we should be patriotic, and we must be our broadest keepers. That’s the only way we can be able to address most of these problems.”
He reaffirmed the responsibility of government to protect lives and property, while emphasising the need for prayers alongside sustained security operations and community cooperation.
Sokoto State Governor Ahmadu Aliyu commended President Tinubu for bringing Nigerian leaders together for the pilgrimage, describing the collective prayers as significant to the country’s progress.
