ADC Campaign Spokesman Phrank Shaibu Says Tinubu’s Umrah Trip Won’t Guarantee 2027 Re-Election

The Director of Strategic Communication of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) Presidential Campaign Council, Phrank Shaibu, has said President Bola Tinubu’s recent pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia for Umrah will not guarantee his re-election in 2027.

Shaibu criticised the President’s religious journey, arguing that securing a second term in office would depend on governance and public support rather than spiritual claims.

The ADC campaign spokesman, who represents the presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, made the remarks during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Monday.

He argued that visiting the holy land should be a personal religious affair rather than a national event, accusing Tinubu’s supporters of politicising the pilgrimage.

Shaibu also questioned the President’s sincerity of faith, claiming that former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, would not remain in custody if Tinubu genuinely practised the religious values he professed.

He further faulted the President for speaking into a microphone while in Saudi Arabia, saying Nigerians at home continued to struggle with economic hardship.

The ADC spokesperson dismissed claims of economic improvement under the Tinubu administration, insisting that many Nigerians were still facing difficult living conditions.

According to him, voters would remember the President’s prayers in Mecca alongside the rising cost of food, goods and services when assessing his administration.

Asked whether Atiku would have accompanied Tinubu to Saudi Arabia if invited, Shaibu said the former Vice-President had sponsored the President’s first trip to Mecca.

On Atiku’s chances in the 2027 presidential election, particularly across the northern states, Shaibu expressed confidence in his principal’s prospects, describing him as “home and dry” in the region.

Tinubu departed Abuja for Makkah on October 29 to perform Umrah, seeking Allah’s guidance and blessings for Nigeria and its people.

After completing the religious rites, the President described the pilgrimage as a fulfilling spiritual experience and an opportunity to pray for the country.

He said he had asked God for wisdom and resilience to continue leading Nigerians and expressed confidence that his prayers had been answered.

“Well, I asked for wisdom and resilience to continue to serve the people. I know that has been granted,” Tinubu said.

The President also recalled performing Umrah before the 2023 general election, saying he had returned to Saudi Arabia to express gratitude to Allah for answering his previous prayers.

“Prior to the 2023 election, I did the same thing. I asked Allah to bless my Umrah then. He did, and I promised that I would come back to thank him, Almighty Allah,” he said.

Tinubu maintained that he believed God had favoured him by granting him the opportunity to lead Nigeria, expressing faith that he had been entrusted with the responsibility to govern the country.