LAGOS NOVEMBER 14TH (NEWSRANGERS)-The Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Tinubu on Digital Engagement, Strategy and New Media, O’tega Ogra, has dismissed reports that the President’s convoy was attacked by youths following his attendance at Friday prayers in Abuja.
Ogra described videos circulating on social media showing youths throwing stones at a convoy believed to belong to the President as “misleading,” insisting that footage released by the Presidency showed Tinubu leaving the mosque after observing the Juma’at prayer.
SaharaReporters earlier reported that President Bola Tinubu was booed by some angry worshippers and residents at the Shehu Shagari Central Mosque in Area 1, Garki, Abuja, shortly after observing Friday prayers.
The incident occurred on Friday as the President’s convoy prepared to leave the mosque, with several people heard chanting slogans expressing opposition to his administration.
According to reports, video clips obtained from the scene showed some members of the crowd chanting “Ba mayi, ba ma so”, a Hausa expression translated as “We don’t want you; we don’t support you”.
Others reportedly chanted “Tinubu Must Go”, a slogan associated with opposition to the President’s re-election bid ahead of the 2027 general elections.
An eyewitness who attended the prayers said that the protest might have been triggered by restrictions imposed on worshippers because of Tinubu’s visit.
However, Ogra challenged the narrative in a post on his X handle on Friday, releasing another video showing Tinubu leaving the mosque after the prayers.
“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 wrote.
The video showed Tinubu, dressed in a white outfit and a black cap bearing his traditional insignia, acknowledging supporters who waved and took photographs as he approached his official vehicle.
However, reports by other media organisations offered additional details about the incident, including claims that some worshippers were prevented from entering or leaving the mosque during the President’s visit.
The development came hours before Tinubu warned politicians and their supporters against political violence ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In a statement personally signed on Friday, the President condemned reported incidents of violence at political gatherings across the country and urged political actors to embrace peaceful campaigns.
He had said security agencies had been authorised to confront thuggery and other anti-democratic activities with full force.
Tinubu maintained that political campaigns should focus on policies, ideas and proposals capable of improving the welfare of Nigerians and advancing national development.
He also reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring a peaceful, free and fair electoral process, insisting that political differences should not turn Nigerians into enemies.
The incident has generated debate over the President’s reception by residents and the security arrangements surrounding his public appearances as political activities gradually gather momentum ahead of the 2027 elections.
SaharaReporters
For advertisement placement, events coverage, media consultancy, placement of publications and further enquiries please WhatsApp 2348023773039 or email: labakevwe@yahoo.com
