JUST IN: Tinubu Heads To Makkah To Pray For Nigeria

President Bola Tinubu will depart Abuja on Thursday for Makkah, Saudi Arabia, to perform Umrah, an Islamic pilgrimage involving prayers and other religious rites in the holy city.

Politics Nigeria reports that the visit will provide the president with an opportunity to pray for Nigeria’s peace, unity, stability and continued progress.

According to a statement issued on Wednesday by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Tinubu will perform the religious rites associated with Umrah and seek Allah’s guidance and blessings for Nigeria and its people.

Before departing the country, the president will commission equipment acquired by the Nigerian Air Force for its operations.

Onanuga said the commissioning will take place at the Presidential Wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja.

Tinubu is expected to return to Nigeria next week after completing the spiritual exercise in Saudi Arabia.

In a separate development, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has said the Ogoni people of Rivers State will support President Tinubu in the 2027 general elections in appreciation of the Federal Government’s establishment of the Federal University of Environment and Technology and appointments of indigenes into key federal positions.

Wike made the remarks on Wednesday during a Rainbow Coalition town hall meeting with residents of Tai Local Government Area at Gbenegininwa Hall, Saakpenwa, Rivers State.

He described the university as a major development opportunity for the Ogoni area, saying it would create jobs, stimulate economic activities and improve the living conditions of residents.

According to the minister, the institution’s long-term benefits would become more evident as it expanded its academic programmes and operations.

“You don’t know what you have because the university just started. By the time this university stays four years, five years, then you will know the development,” he said.

Wike attributed the establishment of the university to sustained efforts by the late Senator Barry Mpigi, who worked to secure federal approval for the institution before his death.

He explained that establishing a federal university required extensive legislative and executive procedures, describing its approval as a significant opportunity for Tai and the wider Ogoni community.

“If you don’t know what it is, even me as a minister, it would be difficult to go through the National Assembly. The National Assembly will pass it, it will now go to the President. Sometimes, the bill will stay there for years,” he said.

The minister said the university would provide employment opportunities for qualified indigenes and increase demand for accommodation, transportation, trade and other services in the host community.

Wike also challenged political leaders in Tai to secure 70 per cent of votes cast for Tinubu and other candidates supported by the Rainbow Coalition in the 2027 elections.

He clarified that the target referred to votes cast for the candidates and not 70 per cent of registered voters.

The minister recalled that Tai had traditionally been among the first local government areas to deliver election results in the Rivers South-East Senatorial District.

He urged political stakeholders to maintain that record, adding that the area could receive additional support if it achieved the proposed target.

Wike said the incentive was intended to strengthen grassroots mobilisation and encourage political participation across the local government.

He also urged residents to assess the records of political leaders seeking their support rather than rely solely on campaign promises.

The minister questioned the contributions of some political figures to the development of Rivers State and the country despite their previous positions in public office.

At the meeting, Wike welcomed political associates who had returned to the Rainbow Coalition following disagreements among members.

He dismissed suggestions that the group had split into different political parties, describing the dispute as a minor disagreement that should not prevent members from working together.

“Let me first of all welcome my brothers. They didn’t go anywhere. There was no fight, they didn’t go to any other party, the same party, but there was a small fight and so we’ve all come back together to work as a team,” he said.

The minister commended the Tai local government chairman for supporting reconciliation and urged the coalition’s leadership to ensure that returning members were treated fairly.

He said the reconciliation process should be inclusive and genuine, stressing that political differences should not weaken the group’s unity.

Wike added that the meeting was intended to allow political stakeholders to assess their options and determine what would best serve the interests of Tai, Ogoni and the Rivers South-East Senatorial District.