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The Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Tinubu on Foreign Affairs and Protocol, Ademola Oshodi, has defended the President’s recent visit to Mecca, Saudi Arabia, dismissing claims that the trip was aimed at winning political support from northern Nigerians ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Oshodi said Tinubu’s visit was strictly religious, stressing that the President travelled to the holy city as a Muslim and not for political reasons.
The presidential aide stated this during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Monday.
He argued that there was no political motive behind Tinubu’s presence in Mecca, noting that Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, who belongs to the opposition, was also in the holy city.
According to Oshodi, the presence of the opposition governor further showed that the visit was not a political gathering.
He also advised other presidential hopefuls preparing for the 2027 elections to seek God’s favour rather than interpret Tinubu’s religious activities from a political perspective.
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Oshodi acknowledged that Nigerians were facing economic hardship but maintained that the Tinubu administration was working to improve the situation.
Tinubu arrived in Saudi Arabia on October 29, where he performed the Islamic religious rites associated with Umrah.
During the visit, the President sought Allah’s guidance and blessings for Nigeria and its people.
After completing the religious rites, Tinubu said he felt fulfilled, adding that God had granted him the wisdom to continue leading the country.
The President is seeking another term in office under the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 general elections.
