President Bola Tinubu was booed by some worshippers at the Shehu Shagari Central Mosque in Abuja on Friday shortly after observing Juma’at prayers.
Videos obtained by DDM showed people chanting slogans against the President as his convoy departed the mosque.
An eyewitness who spoke to the newspaper said the reaction may have been triggered by restrictions placed on worshippers because of Tinubu’s visit.
The source, who requested anonymity, said the President arrived at the mosque at about 1:49 p.m., by which time access to the premises had been restricted.
According to the eyewitness, security operatives stopped people from entering the mosque after Tinubu arrived. Roads leading to the facility were also blocked, while some security personnel mounted the perimeter fences as part of the security arrangements.
The restrictions reportedly continued after the prayers, with worshippers prevented from leaving until the President’s convoy departed.
The source said some people expressed their frustration by chanting “Ba mayi, ba ma so,” a Hausa expression loosely translated as “We are not supporting you.”
Others reportedly chanted “Tinubu Must Go,” a slogan associated with opposition to the President’s re-election bid.
Another source at the mosque also attributed the incident 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 some worshippers were also prevented from leaving until Tinubu departed, claiming that the booing began in the area where people had been barricaded.
The incident comes amid growing political contestation ahead of the next presidential election, scheduled for January.
Presidential spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, had yet to respond to calls as of the time the report was filed.
Imam prays for Tinubu
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 opening chapter of the Quran.
He urged Muslims to uphold the oneness of Allah and seek steadfastness through Him.
The Imam 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.
Suleiman acknowledged Tinubu’s contribution to the renovation of the historic mosque.
The President was accompanied by 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.
Tinubu is expected to face opposition figures, including Atiku Abubakar of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and Peter Obi of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), in the January presidential election.
