The incident comes days after an episode of comedy unfolded on national television when a spokesperson for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) appeared on a programme to discuss the achievements of the president nearly four years into his administration.
Alwan Hassan, a member of the APC Presidential Campaign Council, had appeared on Channels Television, where he challenged the programme’s host to “pick up your phone now, dial 112 and put it on speaker,” while praising Tinubu for introducing a special emergency number to connect Nigerians in need of urgent assistance with centres that could dispatch ambulances to them.
However, the host could not complete the call after several attempts. Hassan also tried unsuccessfully to dial the number during the live broadcast, to the consternation of even APC supporters.
The following day, the campaign council, through the Chief of Staff to the president, issued a directive barring its spokespersons from granting media interviews, except the designated spokesperson, the chairman of the campaign council and the Minister of Information.
Hassan was reportedly later removed from the campaign council.
The development added to the negative publicity surrounding Tinubu’s campaign following attacks on members of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Delta, Ebonyi, Lagos, Rivers, Kano, Benue, Ekiti, Enugu, Anambra, Yobe, Sokoto, Kebbi, Zamfara and Plateau states, among others, which reportedly led to loss of lives.
Following the attack on the president in Abuja, presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga issued a statement calling for issue-based campaigns, despite previous condemnations and calls for Tinubu to rein in his supporters and government officials to allow opposition candidates to campaign freely across the country.
In the statement dated November 13 and signed by Tinubu, the president condemned political violence and urged political leaders and supporters across party lines to focus on issues affecting Nigerians.
The statement, titled “Let’s Shun Violence: Our Campaigns Must Be About Issues That Promote The Welfare Of Our People,” read:
“I have followed recent reports of violence accompanying political events in different parts of the country.
“Every form of violence stands condemned. Violence should never have a place in our political campaigns as we move toward the 2027 general elections.
“Our campaigns should be about issues, a contestation of ideas that promote the welfare of our people and the progress of our country.
“As the leader of this country, I commit myself to a peaceful, free, and fair election, and I urge political leaders and supporters across party lines to conduct themselves responsibly.
“I have said that being in different political parties or pursuing different ambitions does not make us enemies.
“As Nigerians, we are members of the same household living in different rooms. Therefore, our politics must elevate human conditions and focus on national progress and development.
“I want to reiterate my previous directive to the security agencies: be strict and firm against anyone who seeks to test our resolve and will to preserve public order.
“Our administration is committed to an orderly and peaceful election, and all political parties and candidates should be protected and free to campaign anywhere in the country without molestation or fear for their safety.
“We shall not tolerate any irresponsible conduct by politicians and their supporters.
“Security agencies are therefore authorised to confront thuggery and other anti-social and anti-democratic activities with full force.”
Meanwhile, as videos of the incident involving the president circulated online, Onanuga shared another video showing Tinubu in an open vehicle waving at a group of people, most of whom appeared to be officials who had arrived ahead of him at the mosque.
The presidential spokesman described the footage as evidence of the reception accorded the president.
He wrote, “Original footage of the rousing welcome accorded to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at Area 1 Garki Central Mosque today,” alongside the video.
Until Friday’s incident, the Presidency and the APC presidential campaign had repeatedly shared video clips showing Nigerians welcoming Tinubu and expressing support for his return to power in 2027.
However, videos reviewed by THE WHISTLER did not appear to support Onanuga’s description of the reception.
In several clips, visibly angry Nigerians were seen and heard throwing stones at the president’s convoy, shouting, “We won’t vote for you,” alongside other profane remarks.
Gunshots could also be heard as security operatives attempted to push back the crowd as some of the protesters surged forward.
The presidency’s call for issue-based campaigns was subsequently criticised by the presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore, who accused Tinubu of speaking against political violence only after experiencing hostility himself.
In a post on his social media account, Sowore questioned the president’s previous response to attacks allegedly involving APC supporters and members of the opposition.
“Oh, so now that you, Bola Ahmed Tinubu @officialABAT, have been confronted and embarrassed in a mosque today in Abuja, you have suddenly discovered that political campaigns should be issue-based and devoid of violence?
