Tinubu Returns to Abuja After Week-Long Umrah Pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia
Tinubu arrived Abuja Airport
By Correspondent
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu returned to Abuja on Wednesday night after completing a week-long lesser pilgrimage (Umrah) to Makkah, Saudi Arabia.
The presidential Airbus A330-200 touched down at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport at 8:53pm, according to a brief statement issued by the State House media office.
The President was received at the airport by his Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila; the Minister of Education; the Minister of State for Defence; the Inspector-General of Police; and other senior government officials.
Tinubu had departed Jeddah’s King Abdulaziz International Airport earlier on Wednesday at 5:13pm Saudi Arabian time aboard the presidential aircraft.
The pilgrimage, which commenced last Thursday, saw the President perform the Umrah rites at the Grand Mosque, Masjid al-Haram, in Makkah.
A major highlight of the visit occurred on Sunday when Saudi Arabia’s King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud granted Tinubu and members of his delegation access to the interior of the Holy Ka’abah. The President and his entourage performed two raka’at prayers and offered supplications for Nigeria’s peace, unity and prosperity.
Speaking to journalists after completing the Umrah rites on Friday, Tinubu declared that only God could determine who would lead Nigeria, amid growing political activities ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The pilgrimage came days after the President officially flagged off his re-election campaign in Kaduna on October 24, as the ruling All Progressives Congress intensifies preparations for the January 16, 2027 general elections.
Members of the presidential delegation included the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, and the governors of Sokoto, Jigawa, Kaduna, Borno and Yobe States, among other top government officials.
Tinubu’s return marks the end of his religious visit to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, during which prayers were offered for the nation’s continued peace, stability and prosperity.
