SNOW TV NEWS DESK
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu faced an unexpected show of public displeasure on Friday as some worshippers at the Shehu Shagari Central Mosque in Abuja booed him while his convoy departed the premises after the Juma’at prayer.
Videos of the incident, which have circulated widely on social media, captured sections of the crowd chanting anti-government slogans, including “Tinubu Must Go” and “Ba mayi, ba ma so,” a Hausa expression meaning “We do not support you.”
However, accounts from eyewitnesses suggest that the reaction may have been driven less by a direct confrontation with the president and more by frustration over the security arrangements surrounding his visit.
According to witnesses who spoke to Premium Times, Tinubu arrived at the mosque at approximately 1:49 pm, after which security operatives reportedly restricted movement around the premises, blocked access roads, and prevented some worshippers from entering.
Some security personnel were also reportedly seen climbing the mosque’s fence as part of the security operation.
The restrictions allegedly continued after prayers, with worshippers inside the mosque reportedly prevented from leaving until the president’s convoy had departed.
The arrangement left some members of the congregation stranded outside, while others complained that their freedom of movement had been unnecessarily restricted at a place of worship.
One worshipper described the security measures as excessive, explaining that people who had come to observe their religious obligations were inconvenienced because of the presidential visit.
The incident highlights the growing tension that can arise between presidential security protocols and the everyday activities of ordinary citizens.
While protecting the president is a legitimate security responsibility, the reaction at the mosque suggests that some worshippers felt their religious obligations and personal convenience had been sacrificed for the visit.
The Presidency, however, had earlier dismissed reports suggesting that Tinubu’s convoy was attacked.
O’tega Ogra, the President’s Senior Special Assistant on Digital Engagement, shared a video showing Tinubu waving to people as he departed while accusing opposition elements of using paid individuals to stage the protest.
That explanation has added another dimension to the controversy, with competing accounts emerging over whether the incident represented genuine public frustration or a politically motivated demonstration.
Nevertheless, the eyewitness accounts point to security restrictions as a major source of anger among some worshippers.
Beyond the immediate incident, the development carries political significance for an administration already facing public scrutiny over economic hardship, insecurity, and governance.
For a president seeking public confidence ahead of the 2027 general elections, even an incident triggered by security arrangements can become a reflection of wider dissatisfaction.
Ultimately, the episode raises an important question: how can presidential security be maintained without turning ordinary citizens’ access to public spaces and religious centers into an inconvenience?
The reaction at the Abuja mosque suggests that this balance deserves serious attention.
“Sir Bartholomew White Ebe is a Lagos-based media personality, Music Artist, Producer, and a Relationship Coach and independent journalist. With over seven years of experience tracking political developments and cultural shifts in Nigeria, he specializes in local current affairs, grassroots politics, and community-driven reporting across Lagos State. As the founder and chief editor of Snow Multimedia Connect {SNOW TV}, he leads the editorial team to deliver verified, high-impact stories to digital audiences.”
Email: snowmediaconnect@gmail.com
