The Presidency of Nigeria has released a video showing President Bola Tinubu calmly departing a mosque in Abuja after attending Friday congregational prayers. The footage, posted on social media platform X by Senior Adviser to the President on Digital and New Media, Otega Ogra, aims to counter viral clips showing worshippers booing Tinubu as his convoy left the Shehu Shagari Central Mosque.
According to Ogra, the Presidency's video corrects what it calls a misleading narrative spread by opposition supporters. He accused them of manufacturing a false story around the President's visit, claiming some online videos showed hired individuals causing trouble at the mosque. Ogra insisted that the real footage showed Tinubu leaving peacefully after prayers, contradicting the opposition's claims.
The viral clips showed worshippers booing Tinubu with chants of "Tinubu Must Go" and "Ba mayi, ba ma so," meaning "We don't want you." Witnesses attributed the anger to heavy security restrictions that prevented many worshippers from entering the mosque and later prevented them from leaving until the President had departed.
The Presidency's response focuses on disputing the opposition's version and presenting its own footage as evidence that Tinubu attended and completed his prayers without incident. Ogra's post did not directly address the booing or security complaints, instead emphasizing that the opposition had not told the truth about the event.
The exchange has turned Friday's mosque visit into a battle of videos, with one side showing a President rejected by angry worshippers and the other showing a President leaving peacefully after prayers. The incident has sparked widespread debate and discussion about the President's popularity and the effectiveness of his security measures.
The Presidency's move to control the narrative surrounding Tinubu's mosque visit highlights the intense scrutiny and criticism the President faces from opposition supporters and the public. The viral clips and counter-video demonstrate the role of social media in shaping public opinion and influencing the narrative around significant events.
The incident at the Shehu Shagari Central Mosque has raised questions about the President's security measures and his ability to connect with the public. The Presidency's response has not addressed the underlying concerns and criticisms, instead choosing to focus on correcting the online narrative.
Key points
- The Presidency released a video showing President Tinubu leaving Abuja mosque peacefully after Friday prayers.
- The video aims to counter viral clips showing worshippers booing Tinubu as his convoy left the mosque.
- The incident has sparked debate about the President's popularity and security measures.
