President Bola Tinubu was met with rejection chants of “Bamayi” and reports of stones thrown at his convoy on Friday as he left the renovated Shehu Shagari Central Mosque in Area 1, Garki, Abuja, after observing Jumat prayers.
The incident occurred on Friday November 13, 2026, shortly after the President attended prayers at the historic mosque, widely regarded as the first central mosque in the Federal Capital Territory. Tinubu had facilitated the recent renovation of the facility.
Chief Imam Rabiu Suleiman delivered a sermon focused on faith, trust in God, and the importance of peace. He urged the congregation to pray for Nigeria’s unity and progress and specifically asked for divine wisdom and good health for the President.
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Eyewitness accounts and videos circulating on social media indicate that the atmosphere shifted after the prayers ended. As the presidential convoy prepared to depart, a section of the crowd began chanting “Bamayi,” a Hausa expression commonly used to signal rejection or “we don’t want you.” Some individuals were also reported to have thrown stones and other objects toward the vehicles.
The videos capture voices shouting the slogan as the convoy moved away from the mosque area. The identities of those involved have not been confirmed.
The episode has drawn attention amid ongoing public frustration over economic conditions. Since taking office in 2023, the Tinubu administration has implemented major reforms, including the removal of the petrol subsidy and changes to the foreign exchange system. While the government has defended the measures as necessary for long-term stability, many Nigerians have complained about rising costs of food, transportation, and other essentials.
A similar rejection chant was reported weeks earlier during Tinubu’s appearance at an APC campaign event in Kaduna State on October 24.
Official accounts of the President’s mosque visit focused on the prayers and the Imam’s sermon without referencing the subsequent confrontation. The incident, however, has fueled discussion online about public sentiment in the capital and the broader political climate ahead of the 2027 elections.
