Prominent Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, has responded to criticisms that followed his visit to Ibadan last year amid allegations that he was promoting northern Islamic ideologies in Oyo State.
Gumi maintained that he has the constitutional right to travel to any part of the country and insisted that no individual or group could prevent him from visiting any state in Nigeria.
The cleric made the clarification in a Facebook post on Tuesday, stressing that his trip to Ibadan was not at the invitation of any Muslim organisation or individual in the South-West.
According to him, he visited the Oyo State capital in his capacity as a representative of the Coalition of Northern Muslim Ulama.
His comments came a day after one of the victims abducted in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State disputed reports that the kidnappers demanded the introduction of Sharia law in the state as a condition for releasing those held captive.
The victim, Mrs. Rachael Alamu, principal of Community High School, Esiele, reportedly stated in a video recorded while in captivity that the abductors did not demand Sharia law or a N1 billion ransom.
She instead claimed that the gunmen requested the release of some of their associates allegedly being held by Nigerian authorities.
Similarly, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) dismissed reports linking the abduction to demands for the implementation of Sharia law.
In a statement issued on Monday, the organisation described the claim as false and argued that it was intended to portray Islam negatively.
Reacting to the controversy, Gumi expressed concern over what he described as growing Islamophobia in the South-West, alleging that his name had been unnecessarily drawn into local political disputes.
The cleric said the situation had helped him understand how anti-Islam sentiments were influencing political discussions in the region.
He reiterated that his visit to Ibadan was strictly in line with his role as a representative of northern Islamic scholars and not at the request of any South-West Muslim group.
Gumi further insisted that, as a Nigerian citizen, he remains free to travel and carry out legitimate engagements anywhere within the country.
He wrote, “I QUITE UNDERSTAND NOW HOW ISLAMPOBIA IS SHAPING POLITICS IN SW AND WHY I WAS UNNECESSARILY DRAGGED INTO THEIR DIRTY LOCAL POLITICS.
“I WAS IN IBADAN NOT BY THE INVITATION OF ANY SW MUSLIM INDIVIDUAL OR GROUP BUT AS A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE COALITION OF NORTHERN MUSLIM ULAMA.
“Can anybody stop me from going anywhere in Nigeria?
“IT’S STRANGE HOW SOME PEOPLE THINK!
“I believe the whole saga is tele-guided by both foreign and local interests to promote a narrative and polarise the country.”
