Worshippers at a mosque in Jalingo, Taraba State, reportedly walked out after Sheikh Ibrahim Jalo Jalingo urged them to support President Bola Tinubu’s 2027 re-election.
The dramatic moment followed a worshipper’s loud objection, with a video showing several men leaving the mosque while the imam was speaking.
The incident followed public frustration over Nigeria’s economic situation appears to be changing attitudes towards political support that many Northerners accepted during the 2023 Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket debate.
A mosque in Jalingo, Taraba State, witnessed an unusual scene after Sheikh Ibrahim Jalo Jalingo’s appeal for President Ahmed Bola Tinubu’s re-election reportedly prompted worshippers to leave during a religious gathering.
A video circulating on social media captured several men walking out after the cleric spoke about President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration and encouraged support for his second-term ambition ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
What happened inside the Jalingo mosque?
Sheikh Ibrahim Jalo Jalingo reportedly told the congregation that Tinubu’s government was not oppressive while making his appeal for the president’s re-election.
However, his political message did not appear to go down well with some worshippers. One of them reportedly shouted in response, triggering a scene that eventually saw several people leave their positions on the mosque’s colourful prayer mats.
The circulating footage showed men dressed in traditional Northern Nigerian outfits walking towards the exit as the incident unfolded
The development has attracted attention because of the growing debate over whether religious leaders should use places of worship to express support for politicians and their electoral ambitions.
Why the reaction is attracting attention
The incident comes against the background of changing political conversations in Northern Nigeria.
During the 2023 presidential election, many Northern Muslim voters and political stakeholders accepted and supported the APC’s Muslim-Muslim ticket featuring Tinubu and Kashim Shettima.
However, the country’s present economic difficulties and widespread public concerns have contributed to increased scrutiny of the government’s performance.
A similar controversy recently emerged in Bauchi State, where an imam was reportedly removed following political comments during prayers.
Nigerians react to the imam’s endorsement
The video has generated mixed reactions, with some social media users criticising the cleric while others described the worshippers’ response as a sign of public frustration.
@Umariya10 wrote:
“These people are evil parading themselves as religious leaders. Shame on all the clerics who are publicly supporting this govt. Allah ya isa baza mu taba yafe muka ba.”
@UmarIsmail4 wrote:
“They’re degrading themselves by singing an abnormal song, forgetting they’re more duty worth to the followers, the worshippers and Allah than the already stained political leaders.”
@Abxie37 wrote:
“Campaigning for Bola is swiftly becoming a matter of life and death. Thank you guys for this show 👏”
@EdunADEWALE2 wrote:
“He’s misleading them, they have to walk out of mosque because they see what’s happening in Nigeria”
@Lee95459638 wrote:
“Malam collect both money and abuse together. More of this will sort them out.”
@SammieYong wrote:
“Mallam doesn’t know its no longer business as usual 😒”
Watch the full video here:
BREAKING: DRAMA ERUPTS DURING FRIDAY SERMON!
Mallam Jalo reportedly declared that Tinubu’s government is not oppressive, but a worshipper inside the mosque immediately shouted, “THAT’S A LIE!” 😂
Hundreds of worshipers walk out of the mosque in protest.
WATCH! https://t.co/nr4gerRzcq
— ADC Vanguard (@ADCVanguard_) October 30, 2026
Meanwhile, Liyatu Samuel Dawa, a Christian woman in Borno State, has reportedly been sentenced to 14 years in prison in a case linked to an adult woman’s conversion to Christianity.
Her husband, Evangelist Amos Suleman, reportedly went into hiding after receiving threats, while lawyers prepare to challenge the conviction. Continue reading here.
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