Bauchi mosque removes Imam over alleged Tinubu re-election campaign

A mosque committee in Bauchi metropolis has removed Imam Dahiru Abubakar over allegations that he used sermons and mosque premises to campaign for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election in 2027. Abubakar served at Masjid Abdullahi Bin Zubbair in Madina quarters. His removal reportedly followed repeated warnings against political activities at the mosque.

A source said the Imam continued making comments supporting Tinubu after Sunday’s dawn prayer, telling worshippers that the president was not responsible for Nigeria’s insecurity and deserved another term. Defending his messages, Abubakar said he had encouraged worshippers to stop blaming Tinubu for the country’s security and economic difficulties. “I have been preaching to the people to stop castigating President Tinubu for the insecurity and economic challenges,” he said.

He maintained that his sermons focused on devotion, daily conduct and seeking divine intervention over insecurity. “My preaching priorities are fear of God and our day-to-day activities,” he said. Abubakar also cited conflicts in Sudan, Chad and Mali, questioning whether Tinubu could be held responsible for insecurity in those countries.

Confirming the removal, mosque committee chairman Imam Abubakar Jibrin said the dispute concerned both the Imam’s political comments and his alleged organisation of political gatherings around the premises. “Our major challenge with him was not only his campaign for Tinubu but the way and manner he gathered many people in front of the mosque and sometimes entered the mosque purposely to discuss politics,” Jibrin said.

He said the committee had met with Abubakar several times and cautioned him against using the mosque as a political platform. Jibrin argued that political parties provided appropriate channels for campaigning and that such activities should take place at party offices rather than places of worship.

The chairman further alleged that Abubakar proposed changing the mosque’s name to Masjid Imam Bola Ahmed Tinubu. He said committee members rejected the suggestion because the mosque belonged to the community and would retain its existing name. Jibrin added that the committee had decided not to reinstate Abubakar.

He stressed that the decision did not reflect opposition to Tinubu or any other candidate, saying the committee’s concern was preserving the mosque’s religious purpose. “Our prayer is to Allah to choose the best for the country, be it President Tinubu or any candidate among the presidential candidates that would become a blessing to the country,” he said.