Bauchi mosque dismisses imam for backing Tinubu's 2027 re-election

The management committee of Masjid Abdullahi Bin Zubbair in Madina Quarters, Bauchi State, has sacked its imam, Dahiru Abubakar. This decision came after claims that he used his sermons to support President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid.

The committee also turned down Mr Abubakar's alleged suggestion to rename the mosque after the president.

Abubakar Jibrin, the committee’s chairman, spoke to Daily Trust and confirmed the removal. He said they had warned the imam several times against using the mosque for political activities.

A source revealed that Mr Abubakar had subtly campaigned for Mr Tinubu during sermons after obligatory prayers. He told worshippers that the president was not to blame for the country’s insecurity and deserved another chance.

The committee set up a panel after a similar sermon the weekend before. They decided to remove the imam after he repeated these comments following the early morning Subhi prayer on Sunday, 18 October.

Mr Jibrin said their worries went beyond Mr Tinubu's campaign. They were also concerned about the imam gathering people in front of the mosque and discussing politics inside it.

“We have warned him many times, but he didn't listen,” Mr Jibrin stated. “We firmly reject the use of the mosque for political meetings.”

Mr Abubakar, on his part, denied that his sermons were political. He said he had encouraged worshippers to stop blaming Mr Tinubu for Nigeria’s insecurity and economic issues, which he referred to as an “end times phenomenon.”

“I have been preaching for people to stop attacking President Tinubu over insecurity and economic troubles. They should prepare to vote for him again in 2027,” he said.

He added that his sermons focused on fearing God, praying, and daily conduct. He also compared Nigeria’s situation to insecurity in Sudan, Chad, and Mali, arguing that Mr Tinubu could not be blamed for every security problem.

Mr Jibrin also claimed that the imam wanted to change the mosque's name from Masjid Abdullahi Bin Zubbair to Masjid Imam Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

The committee members rejected this idea, insisting the mosque belonged to the community and its name should not be changed.

“All the committee members said ‘no’ because the mosque belongs to the community,” Mr Jibrin explained. “When he insisted, we rejected the idea and resolved that the mosque name would remain Masjid Abdullahi Bin Zubbair.”

Mr Jibrin confirmed the committee will not bring back Mr Abubakar. He emphasized they are not against any political candidate but will not allow the mosque to be used for political activities.

He added that political meetings should happen through political parties and at their offices, not in a mosque. “Our prayer is to Allah to choose the best for the country, be it President Tinubu or any candidate who would bless the country,” he said.