Lagos Imam to Tinubu: You’ve Not Disappointed Us

*President’s harsh economic policies responsible for hunger, poverty, LP’s scribe insists

Deji Elumoye in Abuja and John Shiklam in Kaduna

Chief Imam of Lagos Central Mosque, Ridhwan Jamiu, has declared that the competence and capability of President Bola Tinubu was never in doubt saying he’s not disappointed the people.

Jamiu made the remark same day the National Secretary of Labour Party (LP), Umar Farouk Ibrahim, stressed that Tinubu’s economic reforms have caused untold hardship to Nigerians.
In a statement yesterday in Kaduna, Ibrahim said the harsh economic policies were responsible for the hunger and poverty in the country.

Delivering a sermon yesterday as Tinubu observed the Jumat prayer at the Lekki Central Mosque in Lagos afternoon alongside the Muslim faithful, the Chief Imam assured the President of the steadfast prayers and support of the Muslim Ummah as he governs the nation.
Acknowledging the President’s presence, Imam Jamiu offered prayers for his success in leading Nigeria towards peace, security, and prosperity.

His words: “We are proud of you. I remember that we encouraged people to vote for you during the campaigns. We thank God that you have not disappointed us.
“We know you are capable. We know you have the sagacity. We know you are competent.
“We believe and pray that you are not going to disappoint us. May Allah continue to be with you. Allah has entrusted Nigeria to you and will ask you for this trust.

“Remember accountability and responsibility to the people. Responsibility is to the people, and accountability is to Allah when you return to Him.
“Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said, ‘The most beloved of all people to Allah is the righteous and just leader.’
“We have seen righteousness in you and fairness and justice in you. Please keep it up and sustain it.

“You bear one of the names of Prophet Muhammad, Ahmed, someone who does what is praiseworthy. This name has been reflected in your past actions, and we hope it will reflect in your actions now.”
Jamiu, urged people to be grateful to Allah during times of fortune and patient during adversity.
He reminded the faithful that unwavering hope and faith are essential to believers, even in challenging circumstances.

It was the President’s first public outing since attending prayers at the Alausa Central Mosque last Friday.
The President, spending the festive season in Lagos State, arrived in Nigeria’s commercial capital on December 18 after presenting the 2025 budget to the joint session of the National Assembly.
In honour of victims of the unfortunate stampedes in Oyo, Anambra states, and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), which claimed lives, President Tinubu cancelled his public engagements, including a boat regatta, in Lagos last Saturday.

On December 23, the President hosted the maiden Presidential Media Chat at his Oyinkan Abayomi Drive Residence in Ikoyi. As part of the Christmas and holiday festivities, he also received private visitors daily.

Meanwhile, Ibrahim, the LP scribe attributed the recent stampedes during the distribution of foodstuffs in some parts of the country to abject poverty caused by government economic policies.

Ibrahim added that the crime rate has also raisen as a result of bad government policies.

According to him, “One major reason some people resort to crime is hunger. Millions of Nigerians  have been subjected to hunger arising from other reasons such as high inflation and poor economic management.

“The economic reforms of the Tinubu administration have caused untold hardship to Nigerians. Hunger is turning into an epidemic, and not many people can survive this situation.”

Ibrahim said before the 2023 elections, “LP warned that unless we change our consumption policies to a productive policy, the economy will be in serious jeopardy. Here we are at a crossroads today.”

He added that, “It is only poverty that makes some Nigerians go scooping fuel from accident scenes resulting to inferno which brought about hundreds of casualties.”

He called on the government to scale down most of its agenda in 2024 and redirect its policies towards food production.

He noted that over 70 per cent of Nigeria’s land resources are laying in waste and urged ministries in charge of aquatic economy to live up to their  functions.

He further called  on the federal government to do everything possible to completely crush criminal elements terrorising the country.

The Labour Party chieftain said that protection of lives and property are the cardinal purposes of the government, lamenting that in Nigeria today, life no longer matters.

“While a large number of Nigerians have been wasted by the butcher knife of kidnappers, many simply get killed while trying to survive at all cost.

“Nothing tangible seems to be done by the government to ameliorate the hunger crisis and check poverty level in Nigeria.

“The government must simply sit up and put their acts together; the statistics is not good, and enough of taking the people for granted.