Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, has defended his visit to Ibadan in Oyo State last year, insisting that no one can prevent him from travelling to any part of Nigeria.
Gumi made the remark in a Facebook post on Tuesday amid renewed debate over his November 2025 visit to the South-West, which had sparked criticism from some quarters that accused him of promoting northern Islamic ideologies in the region.
The cleric said his visit was not at the invitation of any Muslim group or individual in the South-West, but was undertaken in his capacity as a representative of northern Islamic scholars.
“I quite understand now how Islamophobia is shaping politics in the South-West and why I was unnecessarily dragged into their dirty local politics,” Gumi wrote.
“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?”
His comments come amid discussions surrounding the abduction of students and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
The development follows a recent video released by an abducted school principal, Mrs. Rachael Alamu, who dismissed reports that the kidnappers were demanding the implementation of Sharia law in Oyo State or a N1 billion ransom as conditions for the victims’ release.
Alamu, who spoke from captivity, said the abductors were only seeking the release of some of their associates currently in government custody.
The position was also echoed by the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), which rejected claims linking the abductors to demands for Sharia law, describing the reports as false and intended to portray Islam negatively.
Gumi visited Ibadan on November 19, 2025, where he attended the Southern Nigerian Ulama Summit as a special guest and speaker.
The event was held at the University of Ibadan and brought together Islamic scholars from across northern and southern Nigeria. During the visit, he also participated in a courtesy meeting with prominent Muslim clerics from different parts of the country.
