“Can Anybody Stop Me?” — Ahmad Gumi Fires Back Over Ibadan Visit, Islamisation Claims

Popular Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, has responded forcefully to criticisms surrounding his visit to Ibadan last year, dismissing allegations that he was promoting the Islamisation of Oyo State or advancing northern religious ideologies in the South-West region of Nigeria. The cleric insisted that no individual or group could prevent him from travelling to any part of the country, stressing that his visit to Ibadan was not at the invitation of any Muslim organisation or individual in the South-West.

In a Facebook post on Tuesday, Gumi explained that he attended the event in his capacity as a representative of a coalition of northern Islamic scholars. He wrote, “I now understand how Islamophobia is shaping politics in the South-West and why I was dragged into local political controversies. I was in Ibadan not at the invitation of any South-West Muslim individual or group, but as a representative of the Coalition of Northern Muslim Ulama.” Gumi then posed a direct rhetorical question to his critics: “Can anybody stop me from going anywhere in Nigeria? ” Describing the reactions to his visit as surprising, Gumi added, “It’s strange how some people think!” He further alleged that the controversy surrounding his visit was being orchestrated to deepen divisions within the country, stating, “I believe the whole saga is tele-guided by both foreign and local interests to promote a narrative and polarise the country.”

Sheikh Ahmad Gumi visited Ibadan on November 19, 2025, 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 attended by prominent Muslim scholars from both the northern and southern parts of the country. The visit sparked controversy in Oyo State, with critics questioning its purpose and expressing concerns about its religious and political implications. Some accused Gumi of attempting to promote northern Islamic ideologies and advance the Islamisation of Oyo State, allegations he has now dismissed as baseless.

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Gumi’s comments came a day after one of the victims abducted in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State refuted reports that the kidnappers had demanded the introduction of Sharia law in the state as a condition for their release. The victim, Mrs. Rachael Alamu, principal of Community High School, Esiele, who spoke from captivity in a video that later went viral, said the abductors neither demanded Sharia law nor a N1 billion ransom. According to her, the kidnappers sought the release of their associates currently in government custody. In the video recorded while in captivity, Mrs. Alamu stated: “Everyone, please I have come to make some clarifications. Today makes it the 24th day that we have been in this place and it seems that some people are making our problems complicated already.” She further clarified: “We have been here and we have not been forced to worship in an Islamic way. They have not troubled us concerning that. They are not asking for Sharia law. They are not asking for money.” She made an emotional appeal to Nigerians, saying: “Please, we are begging you. Don’t play politics with our lives. Nigerians, please help us circulate this. Let it go viral. They are not asking for Sharia law. It is not true. They are not asking for weapons. They are not asking for money.” According to her, the abductors’ only demand is “the release of some of their people” currently in government custody.

The claim regarding Sharia law demands was also rejected by the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) , which described reports linking the abduction to demands for Sharia law as false. MURIC described the report as “a lie from the pit of Jahannam (hell)” and argued that the so-called demand was inserted by enemies of Islam in the negotiation team to tarnish the image of Islam. The organisation insisted that kidnapping, terrorism and extortion are contrary to the teachings of Islam and should not be justified under any religious guise. “Terrorists do not represent Islamic values and cannot speak for Muslims,” the organisation stated.

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The Muslim community in Oyo State has also strongly condemned the Sharia-related demands reportedly made by the abductors, stressing that the criminals do not represent Islam or the values of the Muslim faithful. In a statement jointly signed by its Chairman, Alhaji Ishaq Sanvni, and Secretary-General, Alhaji Murisiku Siyanbade, the community described the kidnappers’ actions as criminal, inhumane, and completely contrary to the teachings of Islam. According to the statement, Islam unequivocally condemns kidnapping, terrorism, violence, and the exploitation of innocent people for personal gain. It noted that genuine Sharia principles promote justice, peace, compassion, and the sanctity of human life—values that stand in direct opposition to the actions of criminal groups. The community further emphasized that the protection of human life remains a fundamental principle of Islam, citing relevant teachings from the Holy Qur’an that uphold the dignity and security of every individual.

Aligning himself with MURIC’s position, Gumi suggested that the controversy surrounding both the abduction and his Ibadan visit reflected growing attempts to marginalise Islamic influence in South-West politics. His comments came amid renewed debate over his November 2025 visit to Ibadan, which drew criticism from some quarters that accused him of attempting to promote northern Islamic ideologies in the South-West. Gumi said he now understood “how Islamophobia is shaping politics” in the region and suggested that he had been unnecessarily drawn into local political disputes. He expressed confidence that his constitutional right to free movement across all 36 states of the federation remains protected, regardless of religious or regional considerations. His assertion — “Can anybody stop me from going anywhere in Nigeria?” — underscores the constitutional guarantee of movement that cannot be abridged by religious or regional considerations.

The controversy surrounding Gumi’s Ibadan visit and the Oriire abduction allegations highlights the broader debate about the role of religious figures in national discourse and the extent to which regional sensitivities should influence movement and engagement across Nigeria’s diverse ethnic and religious landscape. Gumi’s allegations of Islamophobia shaping South-West politics suggest a growing perception among some northern Muslim leaders that their presence and activities in the region are being viewed with increasing suspicion. Nigeria’s constitution guarantees every citizen the right to freedom of movement — a right Gumi has firmly asserted he will continue to exercise regardless of criticism. As the cleric himself put it, his position on the matter remains unchanged: no individual or group has the authority to determine where he can or cannot go within the borders of his own country.

“Can Anybody Stop Me?” — Ahmad Gumi Fires Back Over Ibadan Visit, Islamisation Claims

Gumi Says Islamophobia Is Influencing South-West Politics, Rejects Involvement in “Dirty Local Politics”

Prominent Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, has asserted that an irrational fear of Muslims and Islam is driving politics in the South-West geopolitical zone of the country. He also asked to be left out of “dirty local politics” in the region, after his visit to Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, generated controversy. The cleric made his stance known in a Facebook post on Tuesday amid reports that the abductors of 46 schoolchildren and teachers in Oriire local government area of Oyo State on May 15 had demanded the implementation of Sharia law in the state as one of the conditions to release the captives.

But in a video shared on Monday by her captors, one of the victims vehemently debunked the Sharia implementation report. Speaking from captivity, Mrs Rachael Folawe Alamu, the principal of one of the affected schools, explained that the armed gunmen made no demand for Sharia nor ransom payment of N1 billion as reported in some quarters. She added that they only demanded the release of their comrades being held by Nigerian authorities. “Today makes it the 24th day that we have been in captivity, and it seems some people are making our problem more complicated,” Mrs Alamu said in the video. “We were shown some print media where it was stated that the people that abducted us requested the release of some people. They requested some billion naira. I want to make some clarification.”

A prominent Islamic group, Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) , also debunked the purported Sharia demand in a Monday press release. Reacting to MURIC’s statement, Gumi said, “I quite understand now how Islamophobia 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.”

Beyond debunking the Sharia demand claim, MURIC has called on South-West governors to immediately empower local security networks, including Amotekun and the O’dua Peoples Congress (OPC) , to address the alarming rate of kidnapping in the region. Concerned by the May 15 abduction of 39 students and seven teachers, as well as the subsequent kidnapping of a sister of Chief Adebayo Adelabu along with her twin boys in Ibadan, MURIC advised South-West governments to prepare vigilante groups as first responders. “Groups like the Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC) and Iru Ekun should be empowered to halt the advance of bandits,” the group stated.

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Also, the National Council of Muslim Youth Organisations (NACOMYO) , Oyo State Chapter, condemned the reported Sharia demand as “deceptive and contrary to Islamic teachings.” The council’s Oyo State Coordinator, Dawood Afolabi, stated that “terrorism, kidnapping, murder, and the intimidation of innocent people are grave sins in Islam and stand in direct opposition to the objectives and values of Sharia Law.” “The perpetrators of these heinous acts have no religious, moral, or legal authority to speak on behalf of Islam or Nigerian Muslims,” Afolabi added. “Those who abduct innocent students and teachers and seek to negotiate with human lives in the name of Sharia are enemies of the very law they claim to advocate.”

Similarly, the Muslim Community of Oyo State declared that terrorists do not represent Islamic values and cannot speak for Muslims to justify their nefarious actions, emphasising that legitimate Sharia advocates for justice, peace, and the protection of human life.

Gumi’s visit to Ibadan was not his first engagement in the South-West. In November 2025, he spoke at the Southwest Muslims Ulama Summit at the University of Ibadan, where he defended his frequent visits to bandits and terrorists. He disclosed that his engagements with armed groups are not done in secrecy, insisting that he always moves with security operatives and government representatives. “When I go, I go with the police. I don’t go alone. I go with the government. It’s not a one-man machine. I carry everybody along,” Gumi said at the summit. The Kaduna-based cleric has consistently argued that the root causes of insecurity are lack of education and unemployment, and that dialogue, rehabilitation, and amnesty for repentant bandits represent the most effective solution after nearly two decades of failed military operations.

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In recent months, Gumi has faced intense criticism, with some accusing him of supporting banditry. In May 2026, he threatened legal action against anyone circulating false claims against him, stating unequivocally that any video clip, written statement, or message suggesting support for banditry does not emanate from him. “I hereby state unequivocally that any video clip, written statement, or message attributed to me — whether directly or by innuendo — suggesting support for, justification of, protection of, or advocacy for banditry in Nigeria or anywhere else does not emanate from me,” Gumi said in a statement shared on his Facebook page. He attributed the alleged misrepresentation to “ethnic-interest groups, individuals driven by prejudice, and some sectional internet content creators who use sensational and outrageous headlines to attract viewership at the expense of human suffering and sacrifice.”

The Defence Headquarters has previously explained why the military does not respond to Gumi’s comments. In December 2025, the Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj. Gen. Michael Onoja, stated that it is not the role of the Armed Forces to respond to every public statement and that relevant agencies are responsible for addressing such concerns. “Every agency has its functions. It is not for the Armed Forces to focus on what some people in society do not agree with in our activities,” Onoja said. “Ours is to focus on our kinetic operations and, as much as possible, conduct non-kinetic operations when necessary.”

Nigerian media commentators have also weighed in on the controversy surrounding the alleged Sharia demand. An opinion piece published in Nigerian Tribune warned against spreading unverified claims, noting that the four-point demand list circulating on social media — which included the Sharia implementation demand — had “no firm evidentiary foundation.” “The Sharia claim is the most suspicious part of the whole thing,” the piece argued. “Where will the Sharia be implemented? In the classrooms from which the children were abducted? In the Old Oyo National Park where the homicidal, blood-stained criminals are believed to be hiding? The absurdity should detain us before outrage overtakes our capacity for critical thought.” The commentator further warned that the rumour was being used to suggest that Yoruba Muslims are somehow complicit in the crimes of bandits. “It bears stressing that Yoruba Muslims are not responsible for the abduction of schoolchildren in Oyo State. Muslim communities in Yorubaland are not accessories to banditry merely because a rumor says kidnappers demanded Sharia.”

Gumi’s accusation that Islamophobia is shaping politics in the South-West adds another layer to ongoing discourse about religious tensions in Nigeria’s geopolitical zones. The South-West, historically known for relative religious harmony between its Christian and Muslim populations, has seen increased political rhetoric around religious identity in recent years. The cleric’s claim that “both foreign and local interests” are promoting narratives to polarise the country suggests a belief that the controversy surrounding his Ibadan visit was manufactured rather than organic. As Nigeria approaches future election cycles, such accusations of religious bias in political maneuvering are likely to intensify.

Efforts to secure the release of the abducted schoolchildren and teachers in Oriire local government area of Oyo State are ongoing, with security agencies maintaining that negotiations continue behind the scenes. As of Tuesday, no official update had been provided on the status of the victims.

Gumi Says Islamophobia Is Influencing South-West Politics, Rejects Involvement in “Dirty Local Politics”

Nigerian Labour Leader Dies in Geneva During International Labour Conference

The Nigerian delegation to the 114th Session of the International Labour Conference (ILC) in Geneva and the country’s labour movement have been thrown into mourning following the death of Comrade Domingo Michael Adeleke, a prominent Nigerian labour leader and trade unionist.

Adeleke, who served as Chairman of the Lagos State Joint Negotiating Council (JNC) and was also a member of the Nigeria Civil Service Union (NCSU), reportedly died on Tuesday after a brief illness while attending the global labour gathering in Switzerland.

According to reports from the Nigerian delegation, Adeleke became ill during the conference and was immediately taken for medical attention in Geneva, where efforts to stabilise his condition proved unsuccessful.

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) confirmed his passing, describing him as a committed and passionate advocate for workers’ rights, who dedicated his career to the promotion of decent work, fair wages, and improved labour conditions in Nigeria.

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In an official reaction, the NLC expressed deep sorrow over the loss, noting that Adeleke was part of the 2026 Nigerian Workers’ Delegation to the International Labour Conference at the time of his death. The Congress praised his long-standing commitment to labour activism and his consistent representation of workers’ interests at both state and national levels.

Labour officials further highlighted that Adeleke’s contributions extended beyond union leadership, as he played an active role in negotiations and engagements aimed at strengthening public service delivery and improving industrial relations across Lagos State and Nigeria as a whole.

His death has triggered widespread grief within Nigeria’s organised labour community, with tributes pouring in from colleagues, union leaders, and civil servants who described him as a principled and tireless advocate for social justice.

The NLC noted that Adeleke’s presence at the International Labour Conference reflected his lifelong dedication to advancing workers’ welfare on a global stage, adding that he remained actively engaged in discussions and advocacy efforts until his sudden illness.

Arrangements have reportedly begun for the repatriation of his remains to Nigeria, where further funeral plans will be announced by his family and labour organisations in consultation with the government and union leadership.

The labour movement has extended condolences to his family, the Lagos State workforce, and the wider union community, describing his death as a significant loss to Nigeria’s trade union history and public service advocacy.

Adeleke is remembered as a committed organiser whose work helped shape labour relations and strengthened the voice of workers in government negotiations.

Nigerian Labour Leader Dies in Geneva During International Labour Conference