Islamic scholar, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, has defended his recent movements across Nigeria, insisting that no individual or group has the authority to restrict his travel within the country.
the Punch reported that the cleric made the remarks in a Facebook post on Tuesday while responding to criticism over his visit to Ibadan last year, which some commentators linked to alleged attempts to promote Northern Islamic ideology in the South-West.
Gumi said he was not formally invited by any Muslim organisation or individual in the South-West but attended the gathering in an official capacity representing a northern clerics’ coalition.
“I was in Ibadan, not by the invitation of any South West Muslim individual or group, but as a representative of the Coalition of Northern Muslim Ulama. Can anybody stop me from going anywhere in Nigeria?” Gumi wrote.
He further argued that his presence had been wrongly politicised and claimed that sentiments against Islam were influencing public discourse in the region. According to him, he had been unnecessarily drawn into what he described as local political disputes.
“I quite understand now how Islamophobia is shaping politics in the South West and why I was unnecessarily dragged into their dirty local politics,” he said.
His comments come amid renewed debate over reports linked to a kidnapping incident in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, where it was alleged that abductors demanded the implementation of Sharia law as part of their conditions for releasing victims.
However, one of the victims, school principal Mrs Rachael Alamu, refuted the claim in a video recorded during captivity, stating that no such demand was made. She explained that the kidnappers instead called for the release of some of their associates held by authorities.
The Muslim Rights Concern also dismissed the reports, describing them as false and alleging they were aimed at damaging the image of Islam.
Gumi had earlier visited Ibadan on November 19, 2025, where he served as a guest speaker at the Southern Nigerian Ulama Summit held at the University of Ibadan.
During the visit, he also participated in a courtesy meeting with prominent Islamic scholars from both the northern and southern parts of the country.
