Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has reacted to President Bola Tinubu’s trip to Saudi Arabia, saying Nigeria’s leaders can pray for the country without travelling outside its borders. Makinde, the presidential candidate of the Advanced Peoples Movement (APM), argued that prayers could be offered and answered within Nigeria, questioning the need for the President to […]
Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has reacted to President Bola Tinubu’s trip to Saudi Arabia, saying Nigeria’s leaders can pray for the country without travelling outside its borders.
Makinde, the presidential candidate of the Advanced Peoples Movement (APM), argued that prayers could be offered and answered within Nigeria, questioning the need for the President to travel abroad for that purpose.
The governor made his position known while commenting on reports that Tinubu had travelled to Saudi Arabia to pray for the country.
“I read on social media that our President is travelling to Saudi Arabia to pray for Nigeria. Prayers are answered even in this country. We will stay here and pray for our country and leaders,” he said.
Makinde insisted that Nigerians could pray for their country from anywhere, including government offices, churches and mosques, rather than making foreign trips for religious purposes.
He further linked leadership to the responsibility of staying close to citizens and understanding the challenges they face, arguing that leaders should share in the people’s experiences.
The Oyo governor also stated that the APM would not organise trips abroad for prayers, maintaining that the party would remain in Nigeria to pray for the nation and its leaders.
His comments followed reports of Tinubu’s visit to Saudi Arabia, where the President was expected to undertake religious activities and other engagements.
The remarks have added to public conversations surrounding the President’s foreign travel, particularly as Nigerians continue to contend with economic difficulties and insecurity.