Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Tinubu on Digital Engagement, Strategy and New Media, O’tega Ogra has reacted to reports alleging that the President’s convoy was attacked by youths in Abuja after he attended Friday prayers at a mosque.
Ogra dismissed the claims, insisting that a video circulating online did not accurately represent what happened when Tinubu departed the Shagari Central Mosque in Area 1 of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The President had visited the mosque on Friday to observe the Juma’at prayer.
However, reports of an alleged attack on his convoy emerged shortly after he left the premises, attracting reactions from political figures and supporters across the country.
It was earlier reported that President Tinubu’s convoy was allegedly attacked by protesters after the Friday prayers in Abuja.
Some of the individuals reportedly shouted “Ba ma yi” as the President’s vehicles moved away from the mosque.
The incident generated reactions after a video showing some youths throwing objects at a convoy believed to belong to the President surfaced on social media.
Former Kogi West Senator and African Democratic Congress (ADC) chieftain, Dino Melaye, also shared a video showing the alleged incident.
The footage, which quickly circulated online, captured some youths throwing stones towards vehicles moving along the road.
Some of the individuals could also be heard chanting “Ba ma yi, ba ma so”, a Hausa expression meaning “we don’t want you; we don’t support you”.
The video raised questions about the circumstances surrounding the President’s departure from the mosque, particularly as it appeared to show a group of youths expressing displeasure towards the convoy.
However, Ogra offered a different account of the incident.
In a post shared alongside another video, the presidential aide challenged the narrative being circulated by opposition figures and presented footage showing Tinubu leaving the mosque.
The video showed the President dressed in a white outfit and wearing a black cap bearing his traditional insignia.
He appeared relaxed as he walked towards his official vehicle, with several youths gathered around him.
Some of the youths were seen hailing the President, while others brought out their mobile phones to take pictures as he approached his vehicle.
Tinubu also waved towards the crowd before entering his car.
Sharing the footage, Ogra wrote: “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,”
The presidential aide’s response appeared aimed at challenging the claims that the President faced hostility from youths during his departure.
His post also introduced another dimension to the controversy, as the two videos circulating online appeared to present different accounts of the events surrounding the President’s movement after the prayers.
While the footage shared by Melaye showed youths throwing objects at a convoy believed to be that of Tinubu, Ogra’s video captured the President being hailed by people gathered around him as he entered his official vehicle.
Meanwhile, the controversy surrounding the alleged attack came on the same day Tinubu issued a warning to politicians and their supporters against political violence ahead of the next general election.
In a statement personally signed by the President on Friday, he condemned reported incidents of violence at political gatherings across the country.
Tinubu maintained that political activities should not be turned into opportunities for intimidation, attacks or the destruction of property.
He also stressed the need for politicians to conduct their campaigns peacefully and allow Nigerians to express their political opinions without fear.
The President said security agencies had been authorised to deal firmly with thuggery and other activities capable of undermining the democratic process.
He warned political actors against encouraging violence through their supporters, insisting that the country must not allow the 2027 election season to become a period of widespread political disorder.
Tinubu further called on political parties and their supporters to concentrate on issues that directly affect Nigerians rather than resorting to confrontation.
According to the President, political campaigns should provide an opportunity for candidates to explain their policies, programmes and plans for national development.
His warning followed reports of clashes and other violent incidents associated with political gatherings in different parts of the country.
