President Bola Tinubu was booed by some aggrieved worshippers at the Shehu Shagari Central Mosque in Abuja on Friday, shortly after observing his Juma’at prayers. The incident occurred as his convoy departed the mosque, with videos showing some people chanting slogans against the president. An eyewitness attributed the incident partly to restrictions imposed on worshippers during the president’s visit, which may have contributed to the negative reaction.
According to the eyewitness, Tinubu arrived at the mosque at about 1:49 p.m., by which time access to the premises had been restricted. Security operatives prevented people from entering the mosque after the president arrived, while roads leading to the facility were blocked. Some security personnel also mounted the mosque’s perimeter fences as part of the security arrangements, creating a sense of unease among worshippers.
The restrictions reportedly continued after the prayers, with worshippers prevented from leaving until the president’s departure. This led to frustration among some worshippers, who expressed their discontent by chanting “Ba mayi, ba ma so”, a Hausa expression loosely translated as “We are not supporting you”. Others chanted “Tinubu Must Go”, a slogan associated with opposition to the president’s re-election bid, highlighting growing tensions ahead of the next presidential election.
The incident has been linked to excessive security arrangements, with several worshippers stranded outside after being prevented from entering the mosque. The booing began in the area where people had been barricaded, according to another source at the mosque. This has raised concerns about the management of security during public events, particularly those involving high-profile figures like the president.
During the service, the Chief Imam of the Shehu Shagari Central Mosque, Rabiu Suleiman, delivered a sermon based on lessons from Surah Al-Fatihah, the first chapter of the Quran. The imam urged Muslims to uphold the oneness of Allah and seek steadfastness through Him. He also prayed for peace and the president’s good health, asking Allah to grant Tinubu greater wisdom and guide him towards leading Nigeria to prosperity.
Tinubu was accompanied by several high-ranking officials, including the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu; his Special Adviser on Political Affairs, Ibrahim Masari; Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila; and former Kano State Governor, Abdullahi Ganduje. The president is expected to face opposition from several political figures ahead of the election, including Atiku Abubakar of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and Peter Obi of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).
The presidency has yet to react to the incident, with presidential spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, not responding to calls as of the time of filing this report. The incident comes amid growing political activities ahead of the next presidential election, scheduled for January, and has sparked concerns about the level of tension and opposition that Tinubu may face in the run-up to the election.
Key points
- The incident highlights growing tensions ahead of the next presidential election.
- The president faced chants of “Tinubu Must Go” from some worshippers.
- Restrictions imposed on worshippers during the president’s visit may have contributed to the negative reaction.
