The Kwara State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the state government have traded accusations over the airlift schedule of pilgrims returning from the 2025 Hajj in Saudi Arabia.
While the PDP described the current situation as a “humiliating ordeal” and “an international disgrace,” the state government dismissed the claims as irresponsible and baseless, accusing the opposition of peddling falsehood for political gain.
In a statement by its spokesperson on Tuesday, Olusegun Olusola Adewara, the PDP accused the government of abandoning the state contingents who, according to the party, remained stranded in Mecca days after completing their pilgrimage.
“This development not only endangers the mental well-being of the pilgrims but puts the image of state in the global spotlight for the wrong reasons,” Adewara said.
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He alleged that pilgrims from other states who arrived in Saudi Arabia after the Kwara contingent had already been airlifted home, while Kwara pilgrims had no clarity on when they would return.
The PDP urged traditional rulers, Islamic clerics, the State Assembly, and civil society to demand accountability.
But in a swift response, the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Rafiu Ajakaye, refuted the claims, describing them as “mischievous” and “an unfortunate descent into political recklessness.”
He said no Kwara pilgrim is stranded, and clarified that the return schedule is coordinated by national Hajj stakeholders including
“Kwara has 2,204 pilgrims this year, one of the largest contingents from Nigeria. Their return is scheduled in four batches: June 21, 23, 25, and 27,” Ajakaye said.
He added that as of June 17, only a small fraction of Nigeria’s 41,000 pilgrims had been flown back, citing official data from NAHCON.
“PDP’s alarm is premature, unfounded and damaging to public confidence. The return dates haven’t even commenced, so, how can anyone be stranded?” he queried.
“If purveyors of fake news know they will be held accountable, they might think twice before misleading the public”.
