President Muhammadu Buhari will be traveling to Saudi Arabia to perform the Umrah, an optional pilgrimage on Thursday.
The trip is coming after a widely criticized ‘private visit’ which he embarked upon on April 24 returning May 5. It is also coming at a time of multiple corruption allegations against appointees within his cabinet and rising insecurity in the country.
Garba Shehu, senior special assistant to the president on media and publicity in a statement on Wednesday said President Buhari: “has accepted the invitation of King Salman Bin Abdulaziz, the ruler of Saudi Arabia and Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques to perform the Umrah (lesser pilgrimage) in the Kingdom.
“To this effect, the President, accompanied by close personal aides, will embark on the journey on Thursday, 16th May.
“He is expected back in the country on Tuesday, 21st May.
“Umrah is an optional but recommended pilgrimage to Makkah that can be made at any time of the year.”
