President Bola Tinubu said political authority ultimately rests with Allah, who can confer power on one individual and remove it in favour of another, as he reflected on prayers offered during a visit to the Holy Ka’abah in Makkah.
Key takeaways
- Tinubu said he sought wisdom and resilience during Umrah to sustain his service to Nigerians.
- He thanked King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for permitting his delegation to pray inside the Ka’abah.
- The President said Nigeria’s economy had moved beyond a difficult phase and now rested on a stronger base.
- He pledged to continue pursuing national prosperity and broader development through what he described as Project Nigeria.
- Tinubu said investment in young people was essential to secure the country’s long-term future.
Power, faith and public responsibility
Speaking on Monday after completing Umrah in Saudi Arabia, Tinubu said public office carries a duty to exercise authority properly because power belongs to Allah alone.
“There is no other God but Almighty Allah. He is the giver and the taker. He owns power and authority,” Tinubu said.
He said authority granted to an individual must be used in line with divine guidance, warning that it could be withdrawn and assigned to someone else. “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 said.
The President said his prayers at the Ka’abah focused on gaining the judgement and endurance needed to continue leading the country. “Well, I asked for wisdom and resilience to continue to serve the people. I know that prayer has been granted,” he said.
Tinubu described his entry into the Ka’abah as a historic experience and expressed appreciation to Saudi Arabia’s King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for allowing him and members of his delegation to pray there.
“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,” he said.
Economic recovery and youth investment
Tinubu reiterated his commitment to Project Nigeria, saying he remained focused on delivering prosperity and completing the country’s development agenda, subject to Allah’s will and public support.
“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 economic outlook, the President said Nigeria had emerged from a challenging period and that its economic fundamentals had become more secure. “The foundation is solid, and the economy has come out of the dark tunnel. This is inspiring,” he said.
He also urged greater attention to the needs and prospects of younger Nigerians, arguing that the legacy of today’s leaders would depend on whether they create opportunities for the next generation.
“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?” he asked.
The delegation included Attorney-General of the Federation Lateef Fagbemi; Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare Ali Pate; the governors of Borno, Sokoto, Jigawa, Kaduna, Yobe and Kwara states; and business figures Abdulsamad Rabiu and Wale Tinubu.
