The purpose of their trek, they said, was to thank Allah for the victory of the president-elect in the March 28 presidential election.
Apart from thanking Allah for Buhari’s victory, they informed that they would use the journey to the Holy Land to pray for the success of the president-elect so that Allah would help his administration in bringing about the much desired change to the people of Nigeria, as well as for the unity and peace in the country.
The journey to Mecca by the intending travellers, Abubakar Daguma, aged 45; Abdullahi Hussaini, 36; Dahiru Aminu, 33; Kabiru Saleh, 35 and Muhammed Inuwa Yawale, aged 45, according to their spokesman, Saleh, who addressed journalists at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Press Centre in Bauchi, would last three months.
Saleh stated that they were motivated to embark on the journey by the confidence they had in Buhari, declaring that the president-elect needed all the support he could garner from well meaning Nigerians, for him to live up to the expectations of the people, as well as leading the country well for it to surmount the numerous challenges facing it over the years.
“We know Buhari as a man of dignity, integrity, honesty and patriotism. We believe that his administration will address the challenges facing the country and better the lives of the masses.
“That is what informed our decision to trek to Saudi Arabia to thank Allah for blessing Nigeria with Buhari and pray for our country, because Allah will answer us if we pray in the holy land,” Saleh said.
He, however, stated that apart from seeking the approval of their parents, wives and children and other relatives, doctors had certified them fit to embark on the strenuous journey to Saudi Arabia on foot.
Saleh added that they would notify security agents and immigration officials of their intention to embark on the journey, informing that they would commence the three-month journey from the palace of the Emir of Bauchi.
He stated that the trek would take them through Maiduguri in Borno State to Chad, Sudan, Jiddah and stop at Mecca.
The spokesman, therefore, solicited the support of Nigerians through prayers for protection throughout the journey.