A mosque committee in the Madina quarters of Bauchi metropolis has removed Imam Dahiru Abubakar from his position over allegations that he used religious preaching to campaign for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election in 2027.
Abubakar was reportedly making comments in support of Tinubu after obligatory prayers, urging worshippers to stop blaming the president for insecurity and economic hardship in the country.
The decision to remove him followed another incident after the early morning Subhi prayer on Sunday, despite an earlier warning from the mosque committee.
According to a source familiar with the matter, the imam had repeatedly told worshippers that Tinubu was not responsible for the country’s security challenges and deserved another term in office.
A committee was reportedly established after a similar incident the previous weekend, leading to Abubakar’s eventual removal.
Imam Explains His Support for Tinubu
Abubakar confirmed that he had been using his preaching to urge Nigerians to stop blaming President Tinubu for insecurity and economic difficulties.
He argued that the challenges facing the country were part of what he described as an “end times phenomenon,” insisting that divine intervention and prayers were necessary to overcome them.
The former imam said his messages encouraged worshippers to embrace the fear of God and reconsider their criticism of political leaders, particularly the president.
He also referenced insecurity in other African countries, including Sudan, Chad and Mali, questioning whether Tinubu was responsible for the crises in those nations.
According to Abubakar, his intention was to encourage religious devotion and prayer rather than simply blame political leaders for the country’s problems.
He acknowledged that his preaching did not go down well with the mosque committee, which objected to his approach.
Mosque Committee Accuses Imam of Turning Mosque Into Political Platform
The chairman of the mosque committee, Imam Abubakar Jibrin, confirmed the imam’s removal, explaining that the disagreement extended beyond his comments supporting Tinubu’s re-election.
Jibrin accused Abubakar of gathering people in front of the mosque to discuss politics and sometimes entering the mosque specifically for political discussions.
He said the committee had repeatedly cautioned the imam against using the mosque as a platform for political activities.
According to the chairman, the committee believes that a mosque should be dedicated to the worship of Allah and should not be turned into a venue for political meetings.
Jibrin added that although politics plays an important role in choosing the country’s leaders, political activities should take place through recognised political structures, including party offices, rather than inside places of worship.
He said the committee had warned Abubakar several times but eventually decided to remove him after he allegedly failed to comply with its directives.
Disagreement Over Proposed Mosque Name Change
The committee chairman also disclosed that the disagreement involved a proposal to change the mosque’s name from Masjid Abdullahi Bin Zubbair to Masjid Imam Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
According to Jibrin, Abubakar had insisted on the proposed name change, but the committee rejected the idea, maintaining that the mosque belonged to the community.
The chairman said the committee resolved that the mosque would retain its existing name, Masjid Abdullahi Bin Zubbair.
He maintained that the decision was based on the community’s ownership of the mosque and the committee’s responsibility to protect its identity and purpose.
Committee Rules Out Reinstatement
Jibrin said Abubakar had been removed from his position and would not be reinstated.
He challenged the former imam and his political supporters to establish or acquire a separate mosque if they wished to pursue their preferred religious or political arrangements.
The chairman, however, stressed that the committee was not opposed to any particular presidential candidate or political party.
He said its position was that the mosque should remain a place of worship rather than become a platform for political campaigning.
Jibrin added that the committee’s prayer was for Allah to choose the best leader for Nigeria, whether Tinubu or another presidential candidate.
The incident highlights the disagreement over political advocacy in places of worship, particularly as discussions surrounding the 2027 presidential election continue to emerge.
The mosque committee’s account and Abubakar’s explanation indicate that the dispute involved both his reported support for Tinubu’s re-election and broader concerns about political discussions within the mosque.