Islamic cleric Sheikh Ahmad Gumi has explained the circumstances surrounding his recent visit to Ibadan, Oyo State, insisting that he was neither invited by any Muslim group nor individual in the South-West.
In a statement shared on his Facebook page on Tuesday, Gumi clarified that his trip was undertaken in his capacity as a representative of the Coalition of Northern Muslim Ulama.
The cleric also raised concerns about what he described as growing Islamophobia in the South-West, arguing that negative reactions to his visit reflected how religious sentiments are increasingly influencing political discourse in the region.
His remarks come amid public debate and speculation linking his visit to ongoing security concerns in Oyo State, including allegations that kidnappers had made specific demands. However, those claims were later disputed by some victims and Islamic organisations.
Responding to critics, Gumi maintained that his visit had been misrepresented and unnecessarily politicised.
“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 wrote.
He further stressed that he travelled to Ibadan as a delegate of northern Islamic scholars and questioned attempts to challenge his right to move freely across the country.
“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 stated.
The cleric’s comments have added a new dimension to discussions surrounding his visit, with supporters and critics continuing to debate the implications of his presence in the region.