Imam Dahiru Abubakar has been removed from his position at a mosque in Madina quarters, Bauchi metropolis, over his support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election.
Abubakar reportedly used sermons after obligatory prayers to campaign for Tinubu. He was removed after repeating the act following the early morning Subhi prayer on Sunday.
“He would tell the congregation after prayer that Tinubu did not cause insecurity and he deserved to be reelected.
A source said a committee was formed after the imam repeated the act the previous weekend, leading to his removal.
Abubakar said he had urged worshippers not to blame Tinubu for insecurity and economic hardship, describing the challenges as “end times phenomenon.”
He explained that his sermons focused on fear of God and prayer, citing crises in Sudan, Chad and Mali to question whether Tinubu was responsible for insecurity in those countries.
Mosque committee chairman Imam Abubakar Jibrin confirmed the removal, saying the imam also gathered people outside the mosque to discuss politics.
Jibrin said the committee repeatedly warned Abubakar against turning the mosque into a political platform, stressing that political activities should take place at party offices.
He added that the imam wanted to rename the mosque from Abdullahi Bin Zubbair mosque to Masjid Imam Bola Ahmed Tinubu mosque, but the committee rejected the proposal.
Jibrin said Abubakar would not be reinstated. He maintained that the committee was not against any political candidate and prayed for Allah to choose the best leader for Nigeria.
