A mosque committee in Bauchi metropolis has removed an imam over allegations that he used sermons and mosque premises to campaign for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election in 2027.
The cleric, Imam Dahiru Abubakar, served at Masjid Abdullahi Bin Zubbair in Madina Quarters before his removal, which reportedly followed repeated warnings against engaging in political activities within the mosque.
Abubakar was accused of continuing to make comments in support of Tinubu after Sunday’s dawn prayer, telling worshippers that the president should not be blamed for Nigeria’s insecurity and deserved another term in office.
Defending his position, the imam said his messages were intended to discourage worshippers from blaming Tinubu for the country’s security and economic challenges.
“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 centred on religious devotion, good conduct and seeking divine intervention to address the country’s security problems.
“My preaching priorities are fear of God and our day-to-day activities,” Abubakar said.
He also cited conflicts in Sudan, Chad and Mali, questioning whether Tinubu could be held responsible for insecurity in those countries.
Confirming the imam’s removal, the mosque committee chairman, Imam Abubakar Jibrin, said the decision was prompted not only by the cleric’s alleged support for Tinubu’s re-election but also by his reported organisation of political gatherings around the mosque.
“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.
The chairman said the committee had held several meetings with Abubakar and repeatedly warned him against turning the mosque into a platform for political activities.
According to Jibrin, political campaigns should be conducted through political parties and at their offices rather than in places of worship.
He further alleged that Abubakar had proposed renaming the mosque Masjid Imam Bola Ahmed Tinubu, a suggestion the committee rejected on the grounds that the mosque belonged to the community and should retain its existing name.
Jibrin said the committee had resolved not to reinstate the imam.
He stressed that the decision was not an expression of opposition to Tinubu or any other presidential candidate but an effort to protect the mosque’s religious purpose and prevent partisan politics from taking over its activities.
“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.
