Worshippers Boo Tinubu At Abuja Mosque After Friday Prayers, Chant ‘ Tinubu Must Go’

 

The incident occurred on Friday as the President’s convoy prepared to leave the mosque, with several people heard chanting slogans expressing opposition to his administration.

President Bola Tinubu was booed by some angry worshippers and residents at the Shehu Shagari Central Mosque in Area 1, Garki, Abuja, shortly after observing Friday prayers.

The incident occurred on Friday as the President’s convoy prepared to leave the mosque, with several people heard chanting slogans expressing opposition to his administration.

According to reports, video clips obtained from the scene showed some members of the crowd chanting “Ba mayi, ba ma so”, a Hausa expression translated as “We don’t want you; we don’t support you”.

Others reportedly chanted “Tinubu Must Go”, a slogan associated with opposition to the President’s re-election bid ahead of the 2027 general elections.

An eyewitness who attended the prayers said that the protest might have been triggered by restrictions imposed on worshippers because of Tinubu’s visit.

The source, who requested anonymity, said the President arrived at the mosque at about 1:49pm, by which time access to the premises had already been restricted.

According to the eyewitness, security operatives prevented people from entering the mosque after the President arrived, while roads leading to the premises were blocked.

Some security personnel were also reportedly stationed on the mosque’s perimeter fences as part of the security arrangements.

The restrictions allegedly continued after the prayers, with worshippers prevented from leaving until the President’s departure.

The eyewitness said some of those affected expressed their frustration through chants directed at Tinubu as his convoy prepared to leave.

Another source at the mosque also attributed the reaction partly to what was described as excessive security arrangements.

“People were stopped from entering the mosque after the president had entered. Several people were stuck outside,” the source said.

The source added that the booing started from the area where people had been barricaded, suggesting that the restrictions contributed to the frustration among worshippers.

During the prayer session, the Chief Imam of the Shehu Shagari Central Mosque, Rabiu Suleiman, delivered a sermon centred on lessons from Surah Al-Fatihah, the opening chapter of the Quran.

The cleric urged Muslims to uphold the oneness of Allah and seek steadfastness through Him.

He also offered prayers for the President’s health and the peace of the country, asking Allah to grant Tinubu greater wisdom and guide him towards leading Nigeria to prosperity.

Tinubu was accompanied by National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu; Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila; his Special Adviser on Political Affairs, Ibrahim Masari; and former Kano State Governor, Abdullahi Ganduje.

The incident comes amid growing political activities ahead of the 2027 general elections and renewed debate over public dissatisfaction, presidential security arrangements and the reception of political leaders by ordinary Nigerians.

SOURCE: SAHARA REPORTERS