Tinubu Faces Public Discontent at Abuja Mosque After Friday Prayers

President Bola Tinubu was booed by some angry Nigerians at the Shehu Shagari Central Mosque in Abuja on Friday after he finished his Juma’at prayers.

Several videos shared with PREMIUM TIMES showed people shouting against the president as his convoy drove away from the mosque.

An eyewitness who was at the prayers said the protest might have started because of the restrictions placed on worshippers due to the president's visit.

The eyewitness, who did not want to be named, shared that Mr Tinubu arrived at the mosque around 1:49 p.m. At that time, access to the mosque was already limited.

According to the source, security personnel stopped people from entering the mosque after the president arrived. Roads leading to the mosque were blocked, and some security officers were seen on the mosque’s perimeter fences as part of the security measures.

These restrictions continued after the prayers, with worshippers not allowed to leave until the president had left, the eyewitness said.

Some people showed their frustration by chanting “Ba mayi, ba ma so,” which means “We are not supporting you” in Hausa. Others shouted “Tinubu Must Go,” a slogan linked to opposition against the president’s re-election plans.

Another person at the mosque said the booing was partly because of the heavy security arrangements, which they felt were too much.

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

The source added that worshippers could not leave until Mr Tinubu had left, and the booing started from where people had been blocked.

This incident comes as the president faces increasing political challenges ahead of the next presidential election.

Presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga did not respond to calls at the time of this report.

During the service, the Chief Imam of the Shehu Shagari Central Mosque, Area 1, Garki, Rabiu Suleiman, delivered a sermon based on lessons from Surah Al-Fatihah, the first chapter of the Quran.

The imam called on Muslims to uphold the oneness of Allah and seek strength through Him.

He also prayed for peace and for the president’s good health, asking Allah to give Mr Tinubu more wisdom and guide him in leading Nigeria to prosperity.

Mr Suleiman recognized the president’s efforts in renovating the historic mosque.

The president was with 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 presidential election is set for January.

Mr Tinubu is expected to face significant challenges from opposition candidates, including Atiku Abubakar of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and Peter Obi of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).