The Presidency has dismissed reports that some youths attacked President Bola Tinubu’s convoy after he attended Juma’at prayers at the Shehu Shagari Central Mosque in Abuja.
The controversy followed the circulation of a viral video on Friday showing a group of young men allegedly throwing stones at a motorcade believed to be carrying the President.
In the footage, some youths could also be heard chanting “Ba ma yi, ba ma so,” a Hausa expression meaning “We do not want you, we do not support you.”
However, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Digital Engagement, Strategy and New Media, O’tega Ogra, described the reports of an attack as false.
Ogra maintained that the viral footage did not accurately represent what happened after Tinubu observed Friday prayers at the mosque in Area 1, Abuja.
He accused opposition elements of pushing what he described as a misleading narrative and allegedly presenting videos of paid thugs as evidence of an attack on the President.
To counter the reports, the presidential aide shared another video on his X account showing Tinubu leaving the mosque after prayers.
In the footage, the President, dressed in a white outfit and black traditional cap, was seen waving at supporters before walking towards his official vehicle.
Some people gathered around him were also seen waving and taking photographs as he departed.
Accompanying the video, Ogra wrote: “Contrary to the narrative being pushed by the opposition, with videos of their alleged paid thugs at the National Mosque today, here is footage of Mr President leaving the mosque after Friday prayers this afternoon.”
He insisted that Tinubu departed the mosque peacefully and was not attacked by anyone.
The conflicting accounts have sparked widespread reactions on social media, with different videos and claims emerging over what transpired during the President’s mosque visit.
