***Says Nigeria’s diversity remains strength for devt, security
***Govs, others pray for peace, credible polls during Umrah
President Bola Tinubu on Friday committed his 2027 re-election bid to Allah as he rounded off his Umrah in Makkah, Saudi Arabia.
The President who left Abuja on Thursday for the holy land declared that divine will must prevail.
He appealed to Nigerians to harness the country’s diversity for national development, peace and security.
He spoke to journalists after performing the Lesser Hajj.
His prayers, according to him, extended beyond his personal aspirations to Nigeria’s unity, stability and progress.
State governors and other political leaders who accompanied him also said they sought divine intervention for lasting peace, improved security and the successful conduct of next year’s elections.
Responding to a question on the significance of returning to the Holy Land ahead of another presidential election, having undertaken a similar visit before the 2023 poll, Tinubu expressed faith in Allah’s ultimate authority over leadership.
“I believe the love of the people, the commitment to the job, and the physical commitment to it,” he said.
He added: I believe that Allah’s wish in His will must prevail. And there’s no other God but Allah.” he said.
The President described the pilgrimage as spiritually fulfilling.
He expressed gratitude for the opportunity to pray for himself and the country.
“It’s a spiritual thing for me and the country, Nigeria. I’m grateful to Allah for this opportunity,” he said.
Tinubu prayed for Nigerians to continue to live in harmony, happiness and faith in God, stressing that the country’s collective strengths and shared aspirations remained essential to building a secure and prosperous nation.
He urged sustained commitment to nation-building, saying Nigeria’s diversity should provide the foundation for pursuing common goals.
“Our strength is our diversity, and we continue to build on that for the prospect and security of the country”, the President said.
Reflecting further on the spiritual exercise, he added “we are giving it to our minds and our spirits in every way possible.”
Presidential aide, Tunde Rahman, described the pilgrimage as a regular feature of Tinubu’s life, recalling that he had accompanied him on similar visits since 2016.
Rahman said the President has consistently used such opportunities to pray for himself and Nigeria, adding that the prevailing political and security circumstances gave particular significance to the current exercise.
According to him, members of the delegation prayed for the 2027 elections to be successful, free, fair and credible.
Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum said the overriding concern was the restoration of lasting peace and tranquillity across the country.
He expressed hope that the forthcoming elections would be peaceful and usher in a better future for Nigerians.
“There is nothing better than peace. We believe there is nothing better than unity of our own country, and therefore we should do everything possible that will ensure peaceful election, inshallah”, Zulum said.
Adamawa State Governor Umaru Fintiri said the delegation joined the President in praying for Nigeria and the success of the elections.
He said they also sought divine guidance for Nigerians to have the best leadership.
Sokoto State Governor Ahmad Aliyu described his participation as fulfilling, saying the delegation came together to support the President and offer prayers for national peace, stability and progress.
Former Zamfara State Governor and Senator, Abdulaziz Yari, said Tinubu’s decision to place the country’s affairs before Allah reflected his conviction that leadership ultimately came from God.
Yari, however, stressed that political leaders must also engage the electorate, explain their achievements and persuade Nigerians to support them through the democratic process.
Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani said insecurity featured prominently in the delegation’s prayers, describing it as one of Nigeria’s major challenges.
While acknowledging the efforts of the President, governors and security agencies, Sani said overcoming the problem required greater cooperation from citizens.
He expressed concern that some members of the public had failed to provide security agencies with the support and information needed to tackle insecurity effectively.
The governor urged Nigerians to demonstrate patriotism and act as one another’s keepers, stressing that protecting lives and property was a collective responsibility.
Sani said governors had sworn oaths to safeguard the people but also needed divine intervention to discharge their responsibilities effectively.
Nigeria’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Dr. Yakubu Gambo, commended the President for bringing Nigerian leaders together to perform Umrah and pray for the country.
He said the pilgrimage had proceeded seamlessly and expressed hope that Allah had accepted the prayers offered for Nigeria’s future.
Gambo expressed confidence that the country would benefit from the spiritual exercise and the collective supplications of its leaders.
Also with the President during the interaction were Niger State Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago; Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed; Katsina State Governor Dikko Umaru Radda; and Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu.
Tinubu arrived in Saudi Arabia on Thursday night through the King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah, where he was received by Gambo and Saudi Arabia’s Head of Royal Protocol, Ahmad bin Thafir.
The President is expected to return to Nigeria next week after completing the spiritual exercise.
