Dino Melaye challenges Tinubu to Quranic citation contest

By Adegboyega Adeleye Former Kogi West Senator and ADC Chieftain, Dino Melaye, has challenged President Bola Tinubu to a Quranic citation contest, following the President’s ongoing spiritual visit to Saudi Arabia for Umrah, the lesser Hajj. Melaye issued the challenge in a post on his X handle on Monday, saying he was ready to compete with Tinubu in citing passages from the Quran when the President returns to Nigeria.

He wrote, “Now that Alhaji Bola Tinubu is in Umrah. Immediately he comes back I challenge him to a Quanic citation competition with me. No one can mock God. SDM” Now that Alhaji Bola Tinubu is in Umrah. Immediately he comes back I challenge him to a Quanic citation competition with me. No one can mock God. SDM pic.twitter.com/lssJkwMUz6— Senator Dino Melaye. (SDM) (@_dinomelaye) November 2, 2026 The challenge comes amid public attention surrounding Tinubu’s spiritual activities in Makkah, where he performed the Umrah pilgrimage and was granted access to pray inside the Holy Ka’abah.

Vanguard reported that Tinubu arrived in Saudi Arabia on Thursday, October 29, ahead of the religious exercise, which he performed at the Grand Mosque, Masjid al-Haram, on Friday, October 30. The President was granted the rare privilege of entering the sacred structure by Saudi Arabia’s King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques.

According to the Presidency, Sheikh Dahlulah Muthawal of Masjid al-Haram led Tinubu into the Ka’abah, where he offered prayers of gratitude and sought divine guidance for Nigeria. In his reflection on the spiritual experience, Tinubu said he had prayed for wisdom and resilience to continue serving Nigerians. He also cited Surah Aal-Imran, Verse 26 of the Quran, which speaks about Allah’s ultimate authority over power and sovereignty.

“There is no other God but Almighty Allah. He is the giver and the taker. He owns power and authority,” the President said. Tinubu subsequently reaffirmed his commitment to national development, saying his determination to build a prosperous Nigeria had been strengthened by the spiritual experience. The President travelled to Saudi Arabia with a delegation that included the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi; Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate; and governors of Borno, Sokoto, Jigawa, Kaduna, Yobe and Kwara states, among other officials and business leaders.