Tinubu joins outgoing President for Friday prayers

Bola Tinubu, the President-elect, joined outgoing President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday for Juma’at prayers at the State House Mosque, in preparation for Monday’s inauguration. The media officer for Tinubu, Abdulaziz Abdulaziz, confirmed the president-elect’s presence in a statement released in Abuja.

President Buhari extended an invitation to Tinubu, the former governor of Lagos, to participate in the final public prayer session at the State House Mosque before the swearing-in ceremony on Monday.

Several dignitaries were in attendance at the prayer session, including former Ogun State Governor Senator Ibikunle Amosun, Chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Buba Marwa, and Mallam Shehu Garba, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, alongside other presidential aides.

The official handover activities commenced on Thursday, during which Tinubu and Vice President-elect Senator Kashim Shettima received the highest national honors and the handover documents for the upcoming presidency.

Additional activities were outlined in the statement, including Muslim prayers and interdenominational Christian services scheduled for Friday and Sunday, respectively. These events were planned to take place at the National Mosque and the National Ecumenical Centre in Abuja, with similar prayer sessions organized across the country.

During the religious gatherings, the imams offered prayers for the successful tenure of the incoming administration, seeking Allah’s guidance for Tinubu and his deputy. They urged the Muslim faithful to continuously pray for their leaders and the country, as encouraged by Islam.

Following the State House prayer session, Tinubu addressed the media, expressing his participation alongside President Buhari to seek Almighty Allah’s support for his forthcoming governance responsibilities. He also expressed his intention to learn from Sheikh Abdulwahid Suleiman, the Chief Imam of the State House Mosque, who emphasized the importance of trust in leadership.

As the inauguration day approaches, these religious activities serve as a moment of reflection and seeking divine blessings for a successful and prosperous tenure for Tinubu and his administration.