Former Kogi West Senator, Dino Melaye, has challenged President Bola Tinubu to a Quranic citation contest following the President’s recent pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia for Umrah.
Melaye issued the challenge on Monday, November 2, 2026, in a post on his verified X account, saying he was prepared to compete with Tinubu in citing passages from the Quran when the President returns to Nigeria.
In his post, the former senator wrote: “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.”
The challenge followed public attention surrounding Tinubu’s spiritual visit to Makkah, where he performed Umrah and was granted permission to enter the Holy Kaaba alongside members of his delegation.
In a statement released by the Presidency, Tinubu said he prayed for wisdom and resilience to continue serving Nigerians. He also reflected on Surah Aal-Imran, Verse 26 of the Quran, which speaks about Allah’s ultimate authority over sovereignty and leadership.
Tinubu described his experience inside the Kaaba as a historic spiritual privilege and reaffirmed his commitment to national development.
Melaye’s post has drawn attention because of its timing and the religious context surrounding the President’s pilgrimage. However, he did not provide further details about the proposed contest, and no response from the Presidency to the challenge was contained in the reports reviewed.
