“Taking the Name of God in Vain” Okonkwo Reacts to Tinubu’s Planned Umrah Trip

Kenneth Okonkwo, spokesperson for African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar, has alleged that President Bola Tinubu’s planned trip to Makkah, Saudi Arabia, is linked to what he described as the president’s reported failing health.

Tinubu is expected to depart Abuja on Thursday for Makkah to perform Umrah, the Islamic lesser pilgrimage. According to the Presidency, the trip is intended for the president to pray for Nigeria’s peace, unity, stability and progress.

However, opposition figures have raised concerns, alleging what they describe as a cover-up surrounding the president’s widely reported health challenges.

Reacting to the announcement in a post on his official X handle on Thursday, Okonkwo said the president was “taking the name of God in vain” by travelling to pray for Nigeria.

According to the ADC chieftain, Tinubu going to Makkah to pray for the nation shows he is “really taking the name of God in vain,” stressing that the president cannot even pray for himself.

He added that praying for the president would become more difficult if he continues to withhold the real reasons for staying away from the country.