Prominent Islamic scholar, Ahmad Gumi, has responded to renewed controversy surrounding his visit to Ibadan, Oyo State, insisting that his presence in the South-West was neither political nor linked to any campaign to promote religious ideology in the region.
The cleric made the clarification in a statement shared on his social media platform on Tuesday, June 9, 2026, where he rejected suggestions that his appearance in Oyo State was part of an attempt to advance northern religious interests or influence local politics.
According to Gumi, his attendance in Ibadan was in his capacity as a representative of a coalition of Islamic scholars from Northern Nigeria and not at the invitation of any Muslim group or organisation in the South-West.
He argued that, as a Nigerian citizen, he had the constitutional right to travel freely across the country and questioned efforts to portray his visit as controversial.
The cleric’s remarks come amid ongoing debates sparked by reports surrounding the recent abduction of residents in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State and allegations that the kidnappers had demanded the introduction of Sharia law in the state.
However, one of the abductees, Mrs. Rachael Alamu, principal of Community High School, Esiele, reportedly refuted the claim in a video recorded while in captivity. She stated that the abductors did not request the implementation of Sharia law or a ₦1 billion ransom, but instead sought the release of some of their associates allegedly being held by security agencies.
The controversy also drew a response from the Muslim Rights Concern, which dismissed reports linking the kidnappers to demands for Sharia law. The group described the claim as false and alleged that it was intended to portray Islam negatively.
Backing that position, Gumi suggested that anti-Islam sentiments were increasingly influencing public discourse and political narratives in parts of the South-West, adding that his name had been unnecessarily dragged into issues unrelated to his visit.
The cleric recalled that he visited Ibadan in November 2025 to participate in the Southern Nigerian Ulama Summit held at the University of Ibadan. During the event, he served as a guest speaker and also joined other Islamic scholars from both Northern and Southern Nigeria at a series of engagements held in the state.
His comments are expected to reignite discussions on religious relations, security concerns and the growing sensitivity surrounding debates on faith and regional politics in parts of the country.
