Tinubu Prays For Re-Election In Makkah As Opposition Criticises His Economic Claims

By ADBN TV

November 3, 2026

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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has prayed for wisdom, strength and resilience to continue serving Nigerians during his visit to the Holy Ka’abah in Makkah, Saudi Arabia, where he performed the lesser Hajj, known as Umrah.

The President, who concluded a five-day visit to Saudi Arabia on Monday, also prayed for peace, unity and prosperity in Nigeria. His visit came as he prepares for the 2027 presidential election.

During the visit, Tinubu held and kissed the Al-Hajar al-Aswad, also known as the Black Stone, in keeping with an Islamic tradition associated with Prophet Muhammad. He also expressed gratitude to Almighty Allah for the opportunity to serve as Nigeria’s President and Commander-in-Chief.

Tinubu said he had asked Allah for wisdom and resilience to continue serving the people, expressing confidence that his prayers had been answered. He recalled performing Umrah before the 2023 election and returning to give thanks after his victory.

The President also thanked Saudi Arabia’s King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for granting him and members of his delegation the rare opportunity to enter the Holy Ka’abah and offer prayers.

He described the experience as historic and deeply meaningful, saying it reflected the longstanding friendship and cooperation between Nigeria and Saudi Arabia.

Tinubu said his visit had strengthened his commitment to national development, promising to pursue policies that would promote prosperity, create opportunities for young Nigerians and build a stronger economy. He also expressed optimism about the country’s economic outlook, saying Nigeria had emerged from a difficult period and that the economic foundation was solid.

He cited a passage from the Holy Qur’an, Surah Aal-Imran, Verse 26, which speaks of Allah as the ultimate owner of sovereignty, with the authority to give and take power. The President said leadership was a trust that must be exercised with humility and responsibility.

However, his comments on the economy have drawn criticism from the Makinde-Daura Presidential Campaign Organisation, which accused him of presenting a misleading picture of the country’s economic situation.

In a statement, the organisation’s Director of Strategic Communication, Richard Ihediuwa, argued that businesses were closing, unemployment was rising and millions of Nigerians were facing food insecurity because of the administration’s economic policies.

The campaign organisation also raised concerns about fuel prices, insecurity, the country’s infrastructure deficit and public debt. It alleged that Nigeria’s debt had risen to N166.7 trillion under Tinubu’s administration and questioned the value of the government’s borrowing.

It further accused the President of ignoring the hardship experienced by Nigerians and called on him to confront the economic challenges facing the country.

Meanwhile, the Christian Association of Nigeria, South East zone, alongside Hausa and Yoruba communities in Ebonyi State, has endorsed Tinubu for a second term in 2027.

The endorsement was announced at a town hall meeting in Abakaliki organised by the Infrastructure, Mobilisation and Sensitisation Directorate of the APC Presidential Campaign Council.

The President of the Christian Fellowship of Nigeria in the South East, Reverend Father Abraham Nwali, urged residents of the region to support Tinubu, citing infrastructure development and what he described as the President’s commitment to the South East.

Other representatives of the Christian community also expressed support for the President, while leaders of the Hausa and Yoruba communities in Ebonyi pledged to mobilise their members for Tinubu and other APC candidates in the 2027 elections.