Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, has explained the circumstances of his recent visit to Ibadan, saying he was not invited by any Muslim group or individual in the South-West.
In a post on his Facebook page on Tuesday, Gumi said he was in Ibadan as a representative of northern Islamic scholars.
Gumi also claimed that fear of Islam and Muslims is influencing political activities in the South-West, following reactions that trailed his visit to the Oyo State capital.
He made this known barely a day after one of the victims of the abduction in 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.
The principal of Community High School, Esiele, Oyo State, Mrs. Rachael Alamu, while speaking from captivity in a now-viral video, said the gunmen never demanded the introduction of Sharia law or a N1 billion ransom as reported in some quarters.
She maintained that the abductors only requested the release of their associates currently in the custody of Nigerian authorities.
Also, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) rejected the alleged Sharia demand in a statement issued on Monday.
Responding to MURIC’s position, Gumi said, “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.
“Can anybody stop me from going anywhere in Nigeria?