An elderly imam in northern Nigeria has delivered a passionate sermon that is quickly going viral on social media. In a four-minute video marked as Part 3, the respected cleric stands at a wooden pulpit inside a mosque.
Dressed in flowing white robes and a turban, holding a long staff, he speaks in Hausa with strong gestures, raising his voice at key moments and wiping his face as his emotions rise. A younger man in a suit and sunglasses quietly stands behind him.
The imam directs his anger at President Bola Tinubu for how he handled a visit to families affected by a recent massacre in Plateau State, specifically the Palm Sunday killings in Jos. Community leaders had begged the president to visit the victims in their homes to offer comfort. Instead Tinubu met only with representatives at the airport. He reportedly said there was no light at the airport, so he could only stay briefly and would leave in the next 10 minutes. The president was then said to be heading back to Lagos for Easter.
They pleaded with you to come and see these victims, but instead you stood up and said there was no light so you would be leaving in the next 10 minutes. You still had the audacity to start campaigning in the same place. Who in their right senses will campaign for you?
The cleric accuses the president of showing little empathy during a solemn moment and turning the brief gathering into a campaign opportunity. Repeating the alleged words about no light and the 10-minute limit several times, he asks the pointed question: Who in their right senses would campaign for someone who acted this way toward suffering people?
The video has sparked widespread reactions online. Many Nigerians voices especially northerners praise the imam for speaking boldly against power and pray for his protection and long life. Supporters of the president argue that such visits are often symbolic and cannot fix the ongoing insecurity in the region. Some point out that previous leaders also visited crisis areas with little lasting change. Others say that real solutions require stronger security operations, not quick airport visits. Critics, however, see this as proof that the government is out of touch with ordinary citizens, especially in the Arewa north.
The sermon comes amid rising tensions over violence in Plateau and other northern areas. The clip, which has already gained thousands of views and shares, highlights deep frustration among clerics and residents. Whether it will influence political support or not, the imam’s strong words have reignited conversations about genuine care, respect, and leadership in Nigeria.
