Makinde Faults Tinubu’s Saudi Arabia Trip, Says Nigerians Can Pray for Country at Home

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Oyo State Governor and presidential candidate of the Advanced Peoples Movement (APM), Seyi Makinde, has criticised President Bola Tinubu’s trip to Saudi Arabia to pray for Nigeria, arguing that the country’s leaders can offer prayers without travelling abroad.

Makinde said prayers for Nigeria could be offered within the country, insisting that there was no need for the President to travel to Saudi Arabia for that purpose.

The governor made the remarks while reacting to reports of Tinubu’s journey, saying Nigerian leaders should remain in the country and share in the challenges facing citizens.

“I read on social media that our President is travelling to Saudi Arabia to pray for Nigeria. Prayers are answered even in this country. We will stay here and pray for our country and leaders,” Makinde said.

He argued that leadership required being physically present with the people and understanding their difficulties rather than travelling abroad whenever the opportunity arose.

According to him, the President could pray for the country at the Presidential Villa, in churches, mosques or any other location within Nigeria, without necessarily going to Saudi Arabia.

Makinde also said his party, the APM, would not embark on foreign trips for prayers, maintaining that its members would remain with Nigerians while praying for the country and its leaders.

His comments come amid public concerns over Nigeria’s economic difficulties and insecurity, as well as recurring debates about foreign trips by political officeholders.

President Tinubu’s visit to Saudi Arabia has also attracted attention, with the trip reportedly including the performance of the lesser Hajj.

The Daily Reality