Tinubu’s First Mecca Trip Was Sponsored by Atiku Abubakar, He Took Him There—Shaibu

According to a report by Channels TV, on Monday November 2, 2026, Phrank Shaibu, Special Assistant on Public Communication to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and a member of the ADC presidential campaign council, criticized the presidency for allegedly politicizing the visit and claiming spiritual endorsements for a potential re-election bid.

To illustrate the personal nature of pilgrimage and his own relationship with religious travel, Shaibu made a striking revelation regarding the history between Atiku Abubakar and President Tinubu:

“The first trip Bola Tinubu made to the holy land (Mecca) was on the bills of Atiku Abubakar; he took him there. It’s on record. Let him contest it. His first ever trip to the holy land… in his magnanimity as he has always done. But we don’t talk about these things.”

When asked if Atiku Abubakar sponsor Tinubu’s first Umrah visit. Phrank Shaibu stated; “Of course, he took him there because of his love for people. He because of his love for the Almighty as well. He loves to bring people to know God and to love God and to serve Him well. It took him, he’s on record. These are things we don’t discuss.”

Watch the video starting from 11:02 to 11:39

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