The Kwara State Government has firmly rejected allegations that its pilgrims performing this year's Hajj in Saudi Arabia are stranded, describing the claims as "unfounded and misleading."
The controversy began when the Kwara State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) issued a statement alleging that pilgrims had been abandoned in the holy land without proper arrangements for their return.
In response, Rafiu Ajakaye, Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, released a comprehensive statement refuting these claims and providing details about the scheduled return of the state's pilgrims.
Return Schedule Already in Place
According to Ajakaye, Kwara pilgrims are set to begin their return journey to Nigeria from June 21, 2025, with departures organized in four batches on June 21, 23, 25, and 27.
"The Kwara State Government did not design this schedule; it was created by all the stakeholders: NAHCON, airlines, and the pilgrims' board," Ajakaye explained, questioning how allegations of abandonment could arise when the return process was proceeding according to plan.
The state official emphasized that Kwara has one of the largest contingents this year, with 2,204 pilgrims participating in the holy pilgrimage.
Officials on Ground Confirm Normal Operations
To further verify the situation, the state's media team contacted key officials currently in Saudi Arabia, including the Ameerul Hajj and Olupo of Ajase-Ipo, as well as the Executive Secretary of the Kwara State Muslim Pilgrims' Board.
"They both had a good laugh at the statement of the PDP because there is nothing of the sort," Ajakaye reported, suggesting that the claims were not only premature but also politically motivated.
The government's response indicates that the return schedule for Kwara pilgrims is running on track, coordinated by the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), participating airlines, and the state's pilgrims board.
This dispute highlights the sometimes contentious nature of political discourse in Nigeria, where religious pilgrimages, particularly the annual Hajj, remain significant both spiritually and politically.
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