Prominent Islamic scholar, Ahmad Gumi, has provided clarification regarding his recent visit to Ibadan, Oyo State, stating that the trip was not initiated by any Muslim organisation or individual from the South-West region.
According to the cleric, his presence in the ancient city was solely for an official engagement involving Muslim scholars, where discussions centred on national concerns, particularly the growing challenge of insecurity across the country.
READ MORE: BBNaija Season 10 Reunion Opens with Heated Exchanges, Emotional Moments
In a statement shared via his Facebook page on Tuesday, Gumi explained that he attended the gathering as a representative of a coalition of northern Islamic scholars and not at the request of any local group.
He further suggested that some of the reactions surrounding his visit were influenced by misconceptions and apprehension about Islam and the Muslim community, which he said had shaped public and political discourse in parts of the South-West.
Gumi maintained that addressing Nigeria’s security challenges requires a deeper understanding of the factors fueling unrest, including poverty, unemployment, lack of access to education, and the exclusion of certain communities from development opportunities.
He argued that while military and security operations remain important, efforts such as dialogue, rehabilitation, and social intervention programmes should also form part of the broader strategy for tackling insecurity.
The cleric’s comments come amid ongoing discussions about security concerns in Oyo State, including recent kidnapping incidents that have generated public debate. The conversation has also drawn responses from groups such as Muslim Rights Concern, which has challenged some of the narratives circulating about the incidents.
Gumi insisted that he was being unnecessarily linked to local political disputes and stressed that every Nigerian citizen has the constitutional right to move freely across the country.
“I was in Ibadan not at the invitation of any Muslim group or individual from the South-West, but in my capacity as a representative of the Coalition of Northern Muslim Ulama,” he stated.
About The Author
