‘No One Can Mock God’ – Dino Melaye Dares Tinubu to Quranic Citation Contest

A chieftain of the opposition African Democratic Congress, Dino Melaye, has challenged President Bola Tinubu to a Quranic citation competition.

According to the former senator, he would like to test the President’s knowledge of the Holy Qur’an immediately after his return from Saudi Arabia.

Melaye threw the challenge in a post on his X account while reacting to Tinubu’s ongoing spiritual activities in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, where he travelled to perform the lesser Hajj, known as Umrah.

The former Kogi West senator said he was prepared to engage the President in a competition involving Quranic citations as soon as he returned from the pilgrimage.

“Now that Alhaji Bola Tinubu is in Umrah. Immediately he comes back I challenge him to a Quranic citation competition with me. No one can mock God. SDM,” Melaye wrote.

POLITICS NIGERIA reports that Tinubu had earlier expressed confidence that Almighty Allah had answered his prayers for wisdom and resilience to enable him to continue leading Nigeria.

The President made this known on Monday while reflecting on his spiritual journey to Saudi Arabia, during which he was granted access to enter the Holy Kaaba in Makkah to offer prayers.

According to a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu was led into the sacred structure by Sheikh Dahlulah Muthawal of Masjid al-Haram.

The President expressed appreciation to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for granting him and members of his delegation the opportunity to enter the Holy Kaaba.

He described the experience as a historic and deeply cherished spiritual privilege, adding that it had strengthened his faith and determination to serve Nigeria.

“I want to say a big thank you for the faith, for the recognition. I can’t believe the fencing of the Ka’abah is in Green-White-Green, which reminds us of the Nigerian identity,” Tinubu said.

He added, “It is an honour that I enjoyed, and it is gracious of them to have allowed me to enter inside the Ka’abah. This is history.”

Tinubu also disclosed that he prayed for wisdom and resilience to continue serving Nigerians, expressing confidence that his request had been granted.

“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,” he said.

The President also reflected on Surah Aal-Imran, Verse 26 of the Holy Qur’an, which speaks about Allah’s ultimate authority over power and sovereignty.

According to him, political authority is a responsibility that must be exercised with humility and in accordance with God’s will.

“There is no other God but Almighty Allah. He is the giver and the taker. He owns power and authority. He says, ‘If I give you, use it well. If you don’t use it in accordance with my dictates, I can take it from you and give it to another person. I am the only One who has that authority,” he stated.

Tinubu described his emergence as Nigeria’s President as a special blessing from Allah, saying it had further strengthened his determination to work towards the country’s 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, the President 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 said.

He also stressed the importance of investing in Nigerian youths, warning that the decisions taken by current leaders would determine how future generations remember them.

“We need to build a future for our youth. If we don’t invest in their future, how do we want to be remembered as leaders 50 years from now? That’s the main thing. So this is a rare privilege to lead the country,” Tinubu added.

The President reiterated his commitment to economic development, youth empowerment and creating opportunities for Nigerians.