Governor Aminu Masari says President-elect Bola Tinubu needs more prayers from Nigerians to enable his incoming regime to succeed.

Mr Tinubu has not been seen in public seven days after he was secretly flown abroad in a clandestine trip that his senior aides call a “resting trip.” On Wednesday evening, a spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, insisted that Mr Tinubu is in France and “in touch” with his aides. 

Mr Masari made the call for more prayers for the president-elect during a special breaking of fast and prayer session organised on Wednesday at the Government House, Katsina.

According to the governor, Mr Tinubu used to organise such prayer sessions every year during Ramadan.

“This year’s session is specially organised to thank the almighty God for our success during the recent general elections in the country. There is nothing we can do except thank God for the success recorded in Katsina and Nigeria in general,” stated the Katsina governor.

Mr Masari added, “This is the main reason why we are here together with religious, traditional leaders, government officials and other stakeholders. He is now to be the new president. Hence he needs more prayers. Thank God people have understood that after electing leaders, prayers must be the next.” 

Last week, Mr Onanuga said in a message to Peoples Gazette that Mr Tinubu travelled abroad to rest and will soon return to the country, saying the president-elect “travelled to rest after the hectic electioneering” and “will soon return home.”

Mr Tinubu, 71, could find himself explaining yet again his medical status that has drawn keen interest from a sceptical public. In recent years, Mr Tinubu has made several emergency trips abroad, including in late January 2022 when he was rushed to London while the primary campaign was underway. 

Shortly after returning from the London trip, Mr Tinubu appeared to urinate on himself while visiting a prominent traditional ruler in the country’s southwest. 

In September 2022, Mr Tinubu was again in London, where he reportedly received treatments from several doctors for weeks. He also strapped a urine bag on himself during the trip. 

Despite several indications that Mr Tinubu might not be in good health, the political kingmaker-turned-president-elect has maintained that he is physically and mentally fit to govern. 

He admitted at least once that he might lack physical strength but said his mental capacity would be sufficient to pilot the nation’s affairs. 

Incumbent President Muhammadu Buhari is also infamous for making regular trips to London to treat undisclosed ailments. During his eight-year tenure, Mr Buhari spent several months on a single trip to London. 

He has never publicly revealed the nature of his ailment and how much it cost Nigerian taxpayers to treat him.

(NAN)