Former Kogi West Senator Dino Melaye has challenged President Bola Tinubu to a Quranic citation contest following the President’s recent trip to Saudi Arabia for the lesser Hajj, known as Umrah.
Titiansloaded reports that Melaye announced the challenge in a post on X on Monday, saying he was prepared to compete with Tinubu in citing passages from the Quran when the President returned from the spiritual journey.
“Now that Alhaji Bola Tinubu is in Umrah. Immediately he comes back, I challenge him to a Quranic citation competition with me. No one can mock God. SDM,” Melaye wrote.
The challenge came after Tinubu reflected on his Umrah visit, during which he was granted access to pray inside the Holy Ka’abah in Makkah.
According to a statement by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the President thanked Saudi Arabia’s King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for the privilege extended to him and members of Nigeria’s delegation.
Tinubu described the experience as a significant spiritual moment and said he prayed for wisdom and resilience to continue serving Nigerians.
He also reaffirmed his commitment to national development, saying his determination to advance “Project Nigeria” had grown stronger.
The President said he would pursue prosperity and progress in line with the aspirations of Nigerians and his faith.
Tinubu further stated that public office was a trust that must be exercised with humility and responsibility, adding that authority ultimately belongs to Almighty Allah.
The President’s remarks followed his visit to the Holy Ka’abah, where Sheikh Dahlulah Muthawal of Masjid al-Haram led him into the sacred site.
Melaye’s challenge has placed attention on the religious comments surrounding Tinubu’s Saudi Arabia visit, though no response from the President to the proposed Quranic citation contest was included in the report.
