President Tinubu to 'pray for Nigeria' during Saudi Arabia trip

Nigeria's President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is travelling to the holy city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia to perform the lesser Hajj pilgrimage, known as Umrah, where he will offer prayers for the West African nation, the presidency says.

The visit would provide the 74-year-old president with an opportunity for "spiritual reflection, devotion and prayers for Nigeria's peace, unity, stability and continued progress", his spokesman Bayo Onanuga said.

Tinubu, a Muslim from southern Nigeria, last travelled to Saudi Arabia for Umrah in 2022, while campaigning to become Nigeria's president.

The next election is in January and the country's widespread security challenges have become a major campaign issue.

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Onanuga's statement said the president would "perform the religious rites associated with Umrah, seeking Allah's guidance and blessings for Nigeria and its people".

Unlike the Hajj, which has fixed dates once a year and is a pilgrimage that Muslims who are able to must perform at least once in their lifetime, Umrah can be performed at any time and involves a shorter set of religious rites.

Meanwhile, Tinubu's media aide Olusegun Dada has dismissed speculation that the real reason for the trip is that the president needs medical checks.

There was widespread discussion about the president's health last weekend after a video went viral on social media appearing to show First Lady Oluremi Tinubu popping something into Tinubu's mouth at the election campaign launch for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) party.

There has been no official comment regarding the incident.

In a post on X, Dada said the president's trip was intended to offer "supplications for the country" and to commit the president's re-election bid "into the hands of God" as he began "another major political journey".

According to a survey by US-based Pew Research Center, more than 90% of Nigerians say religion is "very important" in their lives - one of the highest proportions globally.

Nigeria - Africa's most populous nation - is roughly evenly divided between Christians and Muslims, with a small number of traditional believers.

"It is a regular practice among Muslims when they want to embark on any critical journey or attain a milestone," Dada said, reminding his followers that Tinubu had last done the lesser Hajj ahead of the APC's presidential primary in 2022.

The next elections are scheduled for 16 January when Tinubu's main challengers will again be former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar and former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi.

As campaigning gets under way the economy and insecurity are major issues for voters.

The country faces an array of security challenges including an Islamist insurgency, attacks by criminal gangs - known locally as "bandits" who loot and kidnap for ransom - clashes over land and separatist unrest.

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