A total of one hundred and seventy Sokoto state Intending Pilgrims will not perform this years hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia .
Spokesman of the Sokoto state Pilgrims Welfare Board, Umar Faruk told Radio Nigeria that the outgoing administration of the state Pilgrims Welfare board was responsible for the failure of the intending Pilgrims not attending this year’s pilgrimage.
He explained that the previous administration continued collecting money from the intending Pilgrims after knowing they had exceeded the total number of seats allocated to Sokoto state by the National Hajj Commission.
Umar Faruk further stated that the Commission would return the money to the affected persons stressing that those who want to keep their money with the Commission for the next year Hajj would be allowed to do so .
The remaining successful intending Pilgrims from the state are waiting for the last flight to Saudi Arabia for the pilgrimage.
NASIR MALALI
