Ahead of next month’s presidential elections, the candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Bola Tinubu has again defended his fitness, stressing that no ailing person can successfully perform seven trips like he just did at Umrah.
While speaking in an interview with Kano’s premier independent radio station, Freedom Radio, in Saudi Arabia shortly before he returned to the country, Tinubu said he has everything it takes to govern Nigeria.
Africa Today News, New York reports that Umrah is an Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca that is undertaken at any time of the year, in contrast to the Hajj, which has specific dates according to the Islamic calendar.
The former Lagos State governor arrived at the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport, Abuja, on Sunday night, where he was warmly received by his loyalists and party supporters.
The APC presidential standard bearer disclosed that he is fit for the office of president, adding that his critics have nothing else to peddle but lies and speculations.
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He said, ‘I just finished performing the Umrah. I did the seven rounds of Tawaf and the seven trips between Safa and Marwa by myself. Can a sick person do that?
‘People who are making those insinuations have nothing else to say but lies and rubbish. I have moved around, spoken on different platforms, and stood for hours to address different audiences. Before, they said I could not walk. They said I could not stand, but they are ashamed.
‘Since the campaign started, I have marshalled more original ideas than anyone else. I have demonstrated knowledge, experience and a great capacity to be on top of issues in the country. And this job is about ideas and issues regarding the leadership of our country. I have all it takes to be the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and I am asking the people of the country to have confidence and respect for that. Look at my background and my previous assignments. I want to serve the country and serve it very well.’
While describing his Umrah trip as a spiritual rebirth, Tinubu stated that the country is in dire need of prayers.
‘It is a personal trip. It is a trip for spiritual rebirth. I like coming to perform the Umrah now and then. It is an opportunity to connect with almighty Allah. We need his guidance. Nigeria is in desperate need of prayers, which is why we have gathered here to pray for our country, ourselves, and society,’ he said.
This is even as he defended his introduction of town hall meetings and political engagement, saying holding rallies across the country is not enough to win the 2023 presidential election.