Popular Islamic scholar Sheikh Ahmad Gumi has addressed the controversy surrounding his visit to Ibadan, Oyo State, late last year, following criticism and allegations that he was attempting to promote northern Islamic ideologies in the South-West.
Speaking on the matter, Gumi dismissed the claims, insisting that he has the constitutional right to travel and visit any part of Nigeria without restriction.
The cleric also clarified that his trip was not at the invitation of any Muslim organisation or individual in the South-West, contrary to speculations that had trailed the visit.
He maintained that no individual or group has the authority to prevent him from visiting any state in the country, stressing that his movements were lawful and within his rights as a Nigerian citizen.
In a post on his Facebook page on Tuesday, he said he was in Ibadan as a representative of northern Islamic scholars.
He made this known barely a day after one of the victims of the abduction in the Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State dismissed claims that their abductors demanded the implementation of Sharia law in the state as part of the conditions for releasing the victims.
Reports indicate that the principal of Community High School, Esiele, Oyo State, Mrs Rachael Alamu, while speaking from captivity in a now-viral video, said the gunmen said they never demanded the introduction of Sharia law or a N1 billion ransom as reported in some quarters, but rather for the release of their associates currently in the custody of Nigerian authorities.
Also, the Muslim Rights Concern rejected the alleged demand for Sharia in a statement issued on Monday, describing the report as “a lie from the pit of Jahannam (hell)”.
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MURIC argued that the so-called demand was inserted by enemies of Islam in the negotiation team to tarnish the image of Islam.
However, aligning with the Islamic group’s position, Gumi wrote, “I quite understand now how Islamophobia is shaping politics in SW (South-West) 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?”
Recall that Gumi visited Ibadan on Wednesday, November 19, 2025, where he served as a special guest and speaker at the Southern Nigerian Ulama Summit.
The event took place at the University of Ibadan.
During his visit, he also attended a courtesy session alongside other prominent Southern and Northern Muslim scholars.