“Ba Ma Yi, Ba Ma So” — Youths Boo Tinubu At Abuja Mosque Over Security Restrictions, Presidency Denies Alleged Stoning Of Convoy

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was reportedly booed by some youths at the Shehu Shagari Central Mosque in Area 1, Garki, Abuja, on Friday, November 13, 2026, shortly after observing Juma’at prayers, amid complaints from worshippers over security restrictions imposed during his visit.

The incident, captured in several videos that circulated on social media, showed some youths chanting slogans against the President as his convoy departed the mosque.

However, the Presidency has disputed claims that Tinubu’s convoy was attacked with stones, describing a video circulated by opposition figures as misleading and releasing separate footage showing the President being cheered by some youths as he left the mosque.

According to witnesses who attended the Friday prayers, the protest may have been triggered by restrictions imposed on worshippers following the President’s arrival.

One witness, who spoke to PREMIUM TIMES on condition of anonymity, said Tinubu arrived at the mosque at approximately 1:49 p.m., after which security operatives restricted access to the premises.

The witness explained that worshippers who arrived after the President were prevented from entering the mosque, while roads leading to the premises were blocked as part of the security arrangements.

According to the source, some security personnel also mounted the mosque’s perimeter fences.

The restrictions reportedly continued after the prayers, with worshippers prevented from leaving until the President had departed.

The witness said the situation generated frustration among those affected, prompting some youths to chant slogans expressing their dissatisfaction with the President.

Among the slogans reportedly heard was “Ba mayi, ba ma so,” a Hausa expression loosely translated as “We are not supporting you.”

Others chanted “Tinubu Must Go,” a slogan associated with opposition to the President’s re-election bid.

Another source who attended the prayers also attributed the booing partly to what the source 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 witness added that worshippers were prevented from leaving the premises until Tinubu departed and that the booing began around the area where people had been barricaded.

The accounts suggested that the restrictions on movement may have contributed to the dissatisfaction expressed by some worshippers, although the precise motivations of everyone involved in the incident were not independently established.

During the Juma’at service, the Chief Imam of the Shehu Shagari Central Mosque, Rabiu Suleiman, delivered a sermon drawing lessons from Surah Al-Fatihah, the opening chapter of the Quran.

The cleric urged Muslims to uphold the oneness of Allah and seek steadfastness through Him.

He also prayed for peace, the President’s good health and divine guidance, asking Allah to grant Tinubu greater wisdom and guide him towards leading Nigeria to prosperity.

The Chief Imam further acknowledged the President’s contribution to the renovation of the mosque.

Tinubu was accompanied to the prayers 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.

Following the President’s departure, videos of the incident circulated widely, generating competing accounts of what happened outside the mosque.

Dino Melaye, a chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), subsequently shared a video showing some youths throwing stones at a convoy that appeared to be the President’s.

In the footage, some of the youths could be heard chanting “Ba ma yi, ba ma so,” a Hausa expression meaning “We don’t want you; we don’t support you.”

However, the identity of the convoy shown in the footage and whether it was actually struck by stones were not independently established in the accounts provided.

Reacting to the claims, O’tega Ogra, Senior Special Assistant to President Tinubu on Digital Engagement, Strategy and New Media, disputed the allegation that the President’s convoy had been stoned.

Ogra shared a separate video showing Tinubu leaving the mosque after Friday prayers.

In the footage, the President, dressed in white attire and a black cap bearing his traditional insignia, was seen waving to some youths who were cheering him and taking photographs with their mobile phones as he approached his official vehicle.

Ogra accused opposition figures of circulating a misleading account of the incident.

“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 footage shared by the presidential aide presented a different scene from the videos showing youths chanting against the President.

While witnesses reported booing and dissatisfaction over the restrictions imposed on worshippers, Ogra’s response specifically challenged the claim that stones were thrown at the President’s convoy.

The competing videos and accounts did not conclusively establish every circumstance surrounding the incident.

As of the time the initial report was filed, presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga had not responded to calls seeking his reaction.

The incident occurred amid growing political activities ahead of the January 2027 presidential election, in which Tinubu is expected to face opposition figures, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar of the African Democratic Congress and Peter Obi of the Nigeria Democratic Congress.

Tinubu had previously observed Friday prayers at several mosques in Abuja during the period preceding the 2023 general elections.

Among the places he visited were the Berger Mosque, the Shehu Shagari Central Mosque in Area 1 and the National Mosque.

According to Daily Trust, no similar incident was recorded during those earlier visits.

Meanwhile, the development coincided with a warning issued by President Tinubu against political violence ahead of the 2027 general election.

In a statement he personally signed on Friday, the President cautioned politicians and their supporters against engaging in thuggery and other activities capable of undermining the democratic process.

Tinubu said security agencies had been authorised to confront political violence and other anti-democratic activities with full force.

He condemned reports of violence at political events across the country and urged political actors to concentrate their campaigns on issues affecting the welfare of Nigerians and national development.

The President maintained that violence should have no place in political campaigns.

The conflicting accounts of Friday’s incident at the Shehu Shagari Central Mosque have consequently drawn attention to both the security arrangements surrounding the President’s visit and the competing claims about the reception he received from people gathered outside the mosque.

While witnesses attributed the booing partly to restrictions imposed on worshippers, the Presidency rejected the allegation that Tinubu’s convoy was stoned and presented footage showing some youths cheering him as he departed.

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