The Presidency has urged other presidential candidates to embark on spiritual journeys and seek God’s guidance, similar to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s recent pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia.
Ademola Oshodi, Special Adviser to the President on Affairs and Protocols, made the appeal while speaking on Politics Today, a programme on Channels Television.
Oshodi said other presidential hopefuls should also make efforts to seek God’s intervention, regardless of whether they have to travel to Jerusalem or Mecca to do so.
He, however, cautioned against placing political emphasis on Tinubu’s spiritual activities.
“I suggest other presidential candidates should also go out to seek God. Whether they have to go to Jerusalem or they have to go to Mecca themselves,” he said.
“We should not overemphasise somebody seeking God.”
His comments followed Tinubu’s recent visit to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, where the President performed the lesser Hajj, known as Umrah, and was granted the rare privilege of entering the Holy Kaaba in Makkah to offer prayers.
Tinubu announced the conclusion of his visit in a post on his official X account, expressing gratitude to the Saudi authorities for granting him and members of his delegation access to the sacred structure.
The President thanked the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman for the privilege and hospitality extended to his delegation.
“I have concluded my visit to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, where, together with members of my delegation, I had the rare honour of entering the Holy Kaaba to pray, and of performing Umrah,” Tinubu wrote.
He described the experience as a reflection of the longstanding relationship between Nigeria and Saudi Arabia, particularly their shared religious and diplomatic ties.
Tinubu also disclosed that he used the opportunity to pray for peace, unity and prosperity in Nigeria, as well as the wellbeing of citizens.
“In those sacred moments, I prayed for peace, unity and prosperity for our dear nation and for all Nigerians,” he added.
During an interaction following his visit to the Holy Kaaba, the President also revealed that he had asked Almighty Allah for wisdom and resilience to continue leading Nigeria.
According to Tinubu, the same prayer had preceded his victory in the 2023 presidential election, and he returned to Saudi Arabia to express gratitude for what he described as an answered prayer.
“Well, I asked for wisdom and resilience to continue to serve the people. I know that prayer has been granted. Before the 2023 election, I did the same thing. I asked Allah to bless my Umrah then, and He did. And I promised that I would come back to thank Him,” the President said.
Tinubu further reflected on a passage in Surah Aal-Imran, Verse 26 of the Holy Qur’an, which speaks about God’s ultimate authority over power and sovereignty.
He maintained that political authority was a responsibility that leaders must exercise with humility and in accordance with God’s wishes.
The President also described his emergence as Nigeria’s leader as a special blessing from Allah, insisting that the experience had strengthened his commitment to national development.
“My commitment to Project Nigeria is higher. I am determined to usher in prosperity and fully develop the country, consistent with the wish of Allah and the support of the people,” he said.
On the economy, Tinubu expressed optimism about the direction of his administration, describing the country’s economic foundation as solid.
“The foundation is solid, and the economy has come out of the dark tunnel. This is inspiring,” he stated.
He also stressed the importance of investing in young Nigerians, arguing that the decisions taken by present leaders would determine how future generations remember them.