Presidency dismisses reports of attack on Tinubu’s convoy in Abuja

Presidential aide, O’tega Ogra, has dismissed reports that President Bola Tinubu’s convoy came under attack by youths following his attendance at Friday prayers at the Shagari Central Mosque in Area 1, Abuja.

Ogra, who serves as the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Digital Engagement, Strategy and New Media, challenged the account, describing videos circulating online as misleading.

The controversy followed a video shared by a chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Dino Melaye, showing some youths throwing stones at a convoy believed to belong to the President while chanting “Ba ma yi, ba ma so,” a Hausa expression translated as “we don’t want you; we don’t support you”.

Responding to the claim in a post on his X handle on Friday, November 13, 2026, Ogra released another video showing President Tinubu leaving the mosque after observing the Juma’at prayer.

“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”, Ogra wrote.

The footage showed the President, dressed in a white outfit and a black cap bearing his traditional insignia, acknowledging supporters who waved and took photographs of him as he approached his official vehicle.

Meanwhile, in a statement personally signed on Friday, President Tinubu cautioned politicians and their supporters against resorting to violence, warning that security agencies had been empowered to deal decisively with thuggery and other anti-democratic activities.

The President condemned reported incidents of violence at political gatherings across the country and urged political actors to conduct their activities peacefully.

He stated that political campaigns should focus on issues capable of improving the welfare of Nigerians and advancing national development, stressing that violence has no place in the democratic process.