O’tega Ogra, Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Tinubu on Digital Engagement, Strategy and New Media, has disputed claims that the president’s convoy was stoned by youths in Abuja on Friday.
The incident reportedly occurred at the Shagari Central Mosque in Area 1 of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), where Tinubu had attended the Juma’at prayer.
The controversy followed a video shared by Dino Melaye, a chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), which appeared to show some youths throwing stones at a convoy believed to belong to the president.
In the viral footage, some of the youths were heard chanting “Ba ma yi, ba ma so”, a Hausa expression that translates to “we don’t want you; we don’t support you”.
However, Ogra challenged the narrative surrounding the incident, sharing another video showing Tinubu leaving the mosque after the Friday prayers.
In a post accompanying the footage, the presidential aide accused the opposition of pushing a misleading narrative and described those featured in the circulating videos as alleged paid thugs.
“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 video showed Tinubu dressed in a white outfit and a black cap bearing his traditional insignia. He was also seen waving at several youths who were hailing him and taking pictures with their mobile phones as he entered his official vehicle.
The competing videos have generated attention over what actually happened during the president’s visit to the mosque.
Tinubu Warns Against Political Violence Ahead of 2027 Elections
The development comes as Tinubu warned politicians and their supporters against engaging in political violence ahead of the 2027 general election.
In a statement personally signed on Friday, the president said security agencies had been authorised to confront thuggery and other anti-democratic activities with full force.
He condemned reported incidents of violence at political events across the country, stressing that political campaigns should focus on issues that advance the welfare of Nigerians and promote national development.
Tinubu maintained that violence should have no place in political campaigns, urging political actors and their supporters to embrace peaceful democratic engagement.
The president’s warning comes amid growing political activities and preparations ahead of the 2027 general election.