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, strongly criticized the political framing of presidential trips abroad.
Highlighting recent public reactions, Shaibu asserted that religious pilgrimages should not be turned into political campaign stages.
Addressing the convergence of religion and political ambitions, Shaibu maintained that personal acts of faith are being improperly co-opted for political optics:
“It’s just this strength area. I’ll tell you for free. Umrah is an act of worship. Umrah is an act of worship. It’s not a campaign platform. He has gone there for himself.”
He pointed to reported incidents circulating on social media and in the press to argue that the administration is facing widespread discontent:
“Did you watch the videos trending? I think it was published by Leadership Newspaper where an imam was preaching in the mosque after leading prayers, and the moment he mentioned he’s worshippers should support Bola Tinubu—did you see how the worshippers walked out on him? It is happening, it is everywhere. They know they’ve been rejected.”
Rejecting the notion that such backlash is isolated, Shaibu added;
“It is not isolated. Listen to me, this man knows he has been rejected everywhere. When you say my principal’s strongest stronghold is in northern Nigeria, I think I think you are being economical with the truth.”
