Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, the Advanced Peoples Movement’s presidential candidate, has faulted President Bola Tinubu’s planned visit to Saudi Arabia to pray for Nigeria, arguing that such prayers can be offered within the country.
Makinde said there was no reason for the president to travel overseas for prayers when Nigeria itself offered countless places where prayers could be made and answered.
Quick facts
- Seyi Makinde is the presidential candidate of the Advanced Peoples Movement, or APM, and governor of Oyo State.
- He criticised President Bola Tinubu’s trip to Saudi Arabia to pray for Nigeria.
- Makinde said national leaders should remain in Nigeria, pray alongside citizens and share their difficulties.
- The remarks come amid economic pressure, insecurity and public concern over officials’ repeated overseas travel.
“I saw on social media that our President is going to Saudi Arabia to pray for Nigeria,” Makinde said. “Prayers can be answered in this country too. We will remain here and pray for our nation and its leaders.”
He said effective leadership required officials to be physically present among the population, particularly at a time of hardship, rather than leaving the country whenever an opportunity arose.
Makinde maintained that Tinubu could pray for the country from Aso Rock, a church, a mosque or any other location in Nigeria, without reducing the value or effectiveness of those prayers.
The APM candidate said his party would not undertake foreign trips for prayer. Instead, he said, it would remain in Nigeria with citizens while praying for the country and its leadership.
His comments were made as many Nigerians contend with worsening economic conditions and security concerns, intensifying scrutiny of frequent foreign travel by public officials.
