Dino Melaye Dares Tinubu To Prove His Quranic Knowledge

According to a report by PUNCH on Monday, November 2, 2026, former Kogi West Senator Dino Melaye has challenged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to a Quranic citation competition following the President’s ongoing Umrah pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia.

Melaye issued the challenge on Monday through his official X account, declaring his readiness to compete with Tinubu in a contest involving citations from the Holy Quran immediately after the President returns from the Middle East.

The former lawmaker publicly questioned the President’s ability to participate in the proposed religious competition, insisting that he was prepared to demonstrate his knowledge of Quranic citations.

In his post, Melaye wrote: “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.”

The statement attracted attention because it came while Tinubu was undertaking religious activities in Saudi Arabia as part of his Umrah pilgrimage. The President’s visit had also generated public discussions following updates shared by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.

Onanuga had earlier provided information about Tinubu’s spiritual activities in the Middle Eastern country, including his visit to the Holy Ka’abah in Makkah, one of the most significant religious sites in Islam.

Melaye’s challenge subsequently introduced another dimension to the public attention surrounding the President’s pilgrimage, with the former senator using the occasion to propose a direct contest involving knowledge of the Holy Quran.

However, the former lawmaker did not provide further information about how the proposed competition would be organised. He also did not disclose a specific date, venue or format for the contest, leaving questions about whether the challenge would eventually be taken up by the President.

The development has drawn attention to the exchange between the former senator and the President at a time when Tinubu’s religious activities in Saudi Arabia are receiving public attention.

For now, Melaye’s proposal remains a public challenge, with no confirmation in the report that Tinubu has responded or accepted the invitation.

Onesmart [email protected]