President Bola Ahmed Tinubu led a solemn yet grand gathering at the Ansarudeen Central Mosque in Abuja on June 20, 2025, to mark 12 years since the passing of his mother, Alhaja Abibatu Mogaji, who died on June 15, 2013. The special prayer, though spiritual in tone, quickly took on a broader national attention.
Bola Tinubu began his remarks by expressing deep gratitude to those who gathered to honor the legacy of his late mother, whom he described as “a lioness who fought fiercely for justice, commerce, and compassion.” Alhaja Mogaji, a renowned business matriarch, led the Lagos Market Women Association and was revered for her courage and grassroots influence.
Religious Platform or Political Stage? Critics Raise Eyebrows
Bola Tinubu’s presence at the mosque has stirred debate across political and religious circles, with some accusing him of transforming what should have been a quiet family remembrance into a subtle political rally. The carefully orchestrated event included key allies, cabinet members, and media coverage, blurring the lines between devotion and political optics.
Critics argue that sacred Islamic venues should not be converted into platforms for soft campaign messaging. “Honoring one’s mother is noble, but exploiting the mosque for statecraft is disrespectful,” said Imam Abdulrasheed Umar, who questioned the sincerity of the occasion and warned about politicizing prayer.
Security Tightened, Worshippers Displaced by Presidential Movement
Tinubu’s arrival at the mosque triggered an unusually high security presence, with DSS operatives, armed police, and military personnel forming multiple perimeters around the worship grounds. Access routes were sealed hours before the prayer, leading to disruptions in nearby businesses and civilian movement.
Some regular mosque attendees expressed frustration over being temporarily displaced or denied access due to security protocols. “We came to pray, not watch a presidential convoy,” one worshipper lamented. The security arrangement, meant to protect the president, ironically contributed to a growing sense of public alienation.
Tinubu Eulogizes Mother’s Influence, Defends His Leadership Style
Bola Tinubu used the emotionally charged moment to reflect on his mother’s legacy and how her values continue to shape his presidency. He praised Alhaja Mogaji as a beacon of economic liberation and female empowerment, citing her as the bedrock of his resilience and public service.
In a subtle pivot, he tied her sacrifice to Nigeria’s current economic policies, suggesting that “just as Mama endured hardship to empower others, we too must embrace reform to achieve prosperity.” This narrative, however, drew skepticism from those who viewed it as a calculated bid to humanize ongoing unpopular policies.
Opposition Slams Event as Emotional Deflection from National Challenges
The opposition wasted no time in condemning the mosque prayer as a distraction tactic. Figures from the PDP and Labour Party labeled it “emotional manipulation,” designed to momentarily divert public attention from biting inflation, unemployment, and worsening insecurity across the country.
Dr. Akin Oyewole of the Labour Party criticized the timing: “We respect family traditions, but not when they’re weaponized for political cleansing.” Civil rights groups echoed this sentiment, saying Nigerians need urgent policy solutions, not stage-managed grief rituals.
Mixed Reactions Flood Social Media as Event Trends Nationwide
Video clips of President Tinubu in tears, praying silently before the congregation, flooded platforms like X (formerly Twitter), TikTok, and Facebook. While many Nigerians sympathized with the president’s open display of grief, others mocked what they called “an orchestrated publicity stunt.”
The hashtags #MogajiMemorial, #MosquePolitics, and #12YearsGone dominated trending lists, revealing a deeply polarized national response. For some, it was a president mourning his mother; for others, it was another chapter in the theatre of Nigerian politics, where no event is apolitical.
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