An Imam in Bauchi metropolis, Dahiru Abubakar, has been dismissed from his position at Masjid Abdullahi Bin Zubbair in Madina quarters over allegations of using the mosque’s pulpit to promote President Bola Tinubu’s 2027 re-election bid.
Abubakar’s dismissal followed repeated warnings from the mosque committee against engaging in partisan political activities and turning religious sermons into platforms for political advocacy.
The controversy reportedly escalated on Sunday after the Fajr (dawn) prayers, when the cleric allegedly continued to defend Tinubu, arguing that the President should not be held solely responsible for the country’s insecurity and economic difficulties.
Abubakar reportedly maintained that Nigeria’s challenges were signs of the end times and urged Nigerians to pray rather than blame the President. He also cited insecurity in Sudan, Chad and Mali, arguing that the problems confronting Nigeria were not unique to the country.
The mosque committee, however, said the decision to remove him was informed by concerns beyond his political views.
The committee chairman, Imam Abubakar Jibrin, alleged that Abubakar had repeatedly ignored directives to stop organising political activities around the mosque and to keep partisan campaigns out of the place of worship.
“The mosque is for worship, not politics. Campaigns should be at party offices,” Jibrin said.
Jibrin further alleged that the former Imam had proposed renaming the mosque Masjid Imam Bola Ahmed Tinubu, a suggestion the committee reportedly rejected.
According to the committee, the mosque is a community institution and should not be named after an individual politician.
The committee has reportedly ruled out reinstating Abubakar, maintaining its position that religious institutions should remain separate from partisan political activities.
The circumstances surrounding the dismissal have highlighted concerns over the use of religious platforms for political mobilisation, particularly as political discussions surrounding the 2027 general elections gather momentum.