Nobody Can Bar Me From Any Part of Nigeria, Gumi Declares
Prominent Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, has dismissed claims linking his visit to Ibadan to efforts aimed at Islamising Oyo State or advancing northern religious interests in the South-West.
Reacting to criticisms that resurfaced amid recent security concerns in Oyo State, Gumi maintained that he has the constitutional right to travel freely across the country and that no individual or group can prevent him from visiting any part of Nigeria.
The cleric clarified that his visit to Ibadan was not at the invitation of any Muslim organisation or individual from the South-West. According to him, he attended the event solely as a representative of the Coalition of Northern Muslim Ulama.
Gumi stated that he had become a target of local political controversies and expressed concern over what he described as growing Islamophobia influencing political discussions in parts of the South-West.
“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. Can anybody stop me from going anywhere in Nigeria?” he said.
His comments followed reports surrounding the abduction of some residents in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State. One of the victims recently dismissed claims that the kidnappers had demanded the introduction of Sharia law in the state as a condition for their release.
Gumi had 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 meeting attended by notable Muslim scholars from both northern and southern parts of the country.
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