Popular Islamic scholar, Ahmad Gumi, has defended his controversial visit to Ibadan last year, insisting that his presence in Oyo State had no political undertone and was not linked to any alleged attempt to Islamise the South-West.
Gumi broke his silence on Tuesday amid renewed public debate over the activities of northern Islamic figures in the region and allegations surrounding the implementation of Sharia law in parts of Oyo State.
In a statement posted on his Facebook page, the cleric said he attended an Islamic gathering in Ibadan strictly as a representative of northern Muslim scholars and not at the invitation of any South-West Muslim organisation or individual.
He questioned the criticism trailing his movement across the country, arguing that no Nigerian could be barred from visiting any part of the federation.
“I quite understand now how Islamophobia is shaping politics in SW (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 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?”
The cleric’s reaction came barely 24 hours after one of the victims abducted in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State dismissed widespread claims that the kidnappers demanded the establishment of Sharia law in the state as a condition for releasing their captives.
The victim, Mrs Rachael Alamu, principal of Community High School, Esiele, spoke from captivity in a viral video circulating online.
According to her, the abductors never requested the introduction of Sharia law or a N1 billion ransom as earlier alleged in some reports.
She stated instead that the gunmen were demanding the release of some of their associates currently being held by Nigerian authorities.
The controversy had triggered reactions from several groups, including the Muslim Rights Concern, popularly known as MURIC.
In a statement issued on Monday, MURIC dismissed the reports linking the kidnappers to demands for Sharia implementation, describing the allegation as false and malicious.
The group claimed enemies of Islam deliberately introduced the narrative to tarnish the religion and create tension in the South-West.
Gumi’s latest comments appear to align with MURIC’s position as debates over religion and regional politics continue to generate heated reactions across the country.
The Islamic cleric had visited Ibadan on November 19, 2025, where he attended the Southern Nigerian Ulama Summit held at the University of Ibadan.
During the event, he served as a special guest and speaker alongside several prominent Islamic scholars from both Northern and Southern Nigeria.
He also participated in a courtesy meeting involving notable Muslim clerics during the visit.
The visit had sparked criticism in some quarters, with concerns raised over the growing influence of northern Islamic leaders in parts of the South-West, particularly amid ongoing national conversations on security, religion and regional identity.
