Some worshippers at the Shehu Shagari Central Mosque in Abuja on Friday reportedly booed President Bola Tinubu as his convoy departed the premises after Juma’at prayers.
Videos of the incident, which have gone viral on social media, captured members of the congregation chanting slogans rejecting the President as his motorcade drove out of the mosque.
However, witnesses have attributed the protest to frustration over the security restrictions imposed during Tinubu’s visit.
According to a report by Premium Times, some worshippers said security operatives blocked access roads, restricted movement around the mosque and prevented other Muslims from entering the premises after the President arrived.
One of the witnesses disclosed that Tinubu arrived at approximately 1:49 pm, after which security personnel reportedly sealed off the mosque and restricted access to the area.
Some security operatives were also said to have climbed the mosque’s fence as part of the security arrangements.
The witness further claimed that worshippers who had entered the mosque were prevented from leaving until the President’s departure.
The restrictions reportedly angered some members of the congregation, prompting them to chant “Ba mayi, ba ma so,” a Hausa expression meaning “We do not support you.”
Others were also heard shouting, “Tinubu Must Go.”
Another worshipper described the security arrangements as excessive, claiming that several people were stranded outside the mosque after being denied access.
“People were stopped from entering the mosque after the president had entered. Several people were stuck outside,” the worshipper said.
The protest reportedly began from the section where some worshippers had been prevented from entering the premises.
Meanwhile, the Presidency had earlier dismissed reports that Tinubu’s convoy was attacked during the visit.
The President’s Senior Special Assistant on Digital Engagement, O’tega Ogra, shared another video showing Tinubu waving at supporters as he departed the mosque.
Ogra accused opposition elements of promoting a misleading narrative and alleged that paid thugs were used to stage the protest.
The conflicting accounts have generated widespread reactions, with witnesses attributing the chants to frustration over security restrictions, while the Presidency has maintained that the President left the mosque peacefully.
