According to a statement posted on his official Facebook page on Tuesday, June 9, 2026, renowned Islamic scholar Dr. Ahmad Abubakar Mahmud Gumi has addressed recent controversies surrounding his visit to Ibadan, attributing the backlash to Islamophobia shaping politics in Nigeria’s Southwest region.
In a statement posted on his Facebook, the cleric firmly denied being invited by any Southwest Muslim individual or group, insisting he travelled as a representative of the Coalition of Northern Muslim Ulama. The controversy appears linked to a recent incident involving Oyo State kidnappers and demands related to Shari’ah law. Al
The statement from the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), published on muricnigeria.com, described claims that the kidnappers demanded the implementation of Shari’ah as “a lie.” The organisation condemned what it described as deliberate misinformation aimed at heightening religious tensions.
“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,” Dr Gumi wrote.
The scholar questioned attempts to restrict his movement within the country, asking rhetorically, “Can anybody stop me from going anywhere in Nigeria?” He expressed surprise at the reactions, adding, “It’s strange how some people think!”
Dr. Gumi further alleged that external and internal forces are orchestrating the narrative. “I believe the whole saga is tele-guided by both foreign and local interests to promote a narrative and polarise the country,” he stated.
See the screenshot of his post below: