• Tinubu departs for Makkah, to pray for nation’s peace, stability
Deji Elumoye, Chuks Okocha in Abuja and Gideon Arinze in Enugu
The presidential candidate of the Allied People’s Movement (APM), Seyi Makinde, yesterday stated his administration will deal with addressing Nigeria’s challenges slightly than leaving the nation to search options overseas.
Makinde spoke in Enugu through the Southeast city corridor assembly of the Makinde-Daura 2027 presidential marketing campaign, the place he additionally introduced that the social gathering’s manifesto can be unveiled on November 4, 2026.
He was reacting to an announcement by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, that President Bola Tinubu was travelling to Saudi Arabia to pray for Nigeria.
“Prayers are answered even in the country. Under my administration, we will stay here and fix the country. Leaders need to stop all the deceit and tell the people the true situation of things so that we will not be praying in vain,” he stated.
Makinde questioned the nation’s continued borrowing regardless of what he described as ample exterior reserves and income technology, including that his administration would reset the financial system, safety structure, training system and socio-political house, whereas creating alternatives and tackling poverty.
The presidential candidate additionally introduced a partnership with Skill Reset Nigeria to practice a million youths in expertise that may enhance their employment prospects. He added that his administration would create an enabling surroundings for companies to thrive, describing this as important to boosting the financial system.
In his handle, the vice-presidential candidate, Lawal Daura, stated the social gathering was not simply coming to strive. “We are coming to fix the country and the many issues bedevilling it. With your support, we will end the sufferings of the Nigerian people,” he stated.
The Southeast Zonal Director of the Makinde-Daura Campaign Organisation, Daniel Obiechima, stated the turnout on the assembly demonstrated public assist for the ticket and readiness to again the candidates within the 2027 presidential election.
Meanwhile, Tinubu on Thursday afternoon departed the nation’s capital, Abuja for Makkah, Saudi Arabia, to carry out Umrah pilgrimage. During the train also referred to as lesser Hajj, Tinubu stated he’ll provide prayers for Nigeria’s peace, nationwide unity, stability and sustained improvement.
The President’s airplane, Nigeria Air Force 1, took off from the presidential wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, at roughly 2:20 p.m, after a quick departure ceremony attended by state governors and a few high authorities officers who have been on floor to see him off.
Ahead of his departure, the Saudi Arabian Ambassador to Nigeria, Yousef Bin Mohammed Al-Balawi, introduced the President with a Bisht, a standard Arabian ceremonial cloak, on behalf of the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia.
Also on floor on the airport to see the President off have been Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume; Kwara State Governor, Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq; his Yobe and Borno states counterparts, Mai Mala Buni; and Babagana Zulum respectively.
Others have been Governors of Kaduna, Uba Sani; Jigawa, Umar Namadi; Ahmad Aliyu Sokoto;
Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi; Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate; and the member representing Ikorodu Federal Constituency within the House of Representatives, Hon Babajimi Benson.
The Nigerian Ambassador to Mexico, Honduras, Guatemala and Nicaragua, Ambassador Reno Omokri, and Director of Protocol on the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Ibrahim Sule Dan Agundi, additionally attended the departure ceremony.
Presidential spokesperson, Onanuga, had on Wednesday confirmed the deliberate journey through an announcement issued indicating that Tinubu was due again in Nigeria subsequent week upon completion of the spiritual train.
He stated Tinubu’s go to will present him a possibility for non secular reflection and devotion, whereas he undertakes the spiritual rites related to Umrah and seeks divine steerage and blessings for Nigerians.
