Atiku Sponsored Tinubu’s First Trip to Holy Land, Phrank Shaibu Claims, Challenges President to Dispute Allegation

Phrank Shaibu, media aide to former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, has claimed that his principal sponsored President Bola Tinubu’s first trip to the Holy Land in Saudi Arabia.

Shaibu made the revelation on Monday, November 2, 2026, during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today, where he was discussing Tinubu’s recent Umrah pilgrimage to Makkah.

According to him, Atiku personally sponsored Tinubu’s earlier journey to the holy city, describing the former vice-president’s action as an expression of generosity and religious commitment.

“The first time Tinubu went to the Holy Land in Saudi Arabia, it was on the bills of Atiku. He took him there. It’s on record; let him contest it,” Shaibu said.

He added: “Atiku, in his magnanimity, sponsored President Tinubu to the Holy Land because of his love for people and the Almighty. Atiku loves bringing people to know God.”

The allegation has attracted attention because of the current political rivalry between Tinubu and Atiku, who are expected to be on opposing sides of the political contest ahead of the 2027 general elections. 

Beyond the alleged sponsorship, Shaibu criticised what he described as the politicisation of Tinubu’s recent religious pilgrimage.

He argued that religious journeys should be treated as personal spiritual exercises rather than political events, insisting that a pilgrimage cannot guarantee electoral victory or secure a second presidential term.

Shaibu also said Atiku had spent 30 days in Makkah during Ramadan the previous year without publicising the visit, maintaining that religious devotion should not be turned into political publicity. 

President Tinubu departed Abuja for Makkah on October 29, 2026, to perform Umrah.

After completing the religious rites, the President said he had asked Allah for wisdom and resilience to continue serving Nigerians and believed his prayers had been answered.

He also recalled undertaking a similar pilgrimage before the 2023 presidential election, saying he had promised to return to give thanks following his victory.

Shaibu’s claim has added a fresh dimension to the public conversation surrounding the relationship between Tinubu and Atiku, particularly as political alignments and rivalries take shape ahead of 2027.

However, the alleged sponsorship of Tinubu’s first trip to Saudi Arabia remains a claim made by Atiku’s aide. The statement does not, on its own, establish the circumstances or date of the alleged journey, and Tinubu’s response to the specific claim was not included in the reports reviewed.

The allegation has nevertheless reopened discussions about the political history and personal relationships between two prominent figures now positioned on opposing sides of Nigeria’s emerging electoral contest.