“I’m A Peacemaker,” Gumi Insists Amid Backlash

Islamic cleric Sheikh Ahmad Gumi has insisted that he remains committed solely to peacebuilding efforts, dismissing fresh allegations that he supports or protects bandits operating across the northern region.

Gumi’s defence follows renewed public outrage triggered by a surge in kidnappings, which recently compelled the Federal Government to shut down schools and ramp up military operations in several states. The cleric has come under intense criticism, with some Nigerians accusing him of emboldening armed groups through his long-standing advocacy for dialogue over force.

But speaking on Frontline, a current affairs programme on Eagle 102.5 FM, Ilese-Ijebu, the Kaduna-based scholar rejected the claims, describing them as gross misrepresentations of his role. The interview, monitored in Abeokuta, had Gumi stressing that his involvement is anchored on conflict resolution, not support for criminality.

“I’m a peacemaker,” he insisted. “I don’t want bloodshed. It is like a doctor explaining an illness. Will people accuse the doctor of supporting the sickness? Understanding their side is the only way to propose a cure.”

He argued that many armed herders had turned violent due to years of neglect and lack of structured channels to express grievances. Military campaigns alone, he said, would not yield lasting peace unless the country also confronts the socio-economic triggers fuelling the crisis.

Gumi further dismissed claims that Nigeria is facing a religious war, describing such narratives as misleading and intended to create unnecessary tension.

“There is no Christian-Muslim war in Nigeria. Anyone pushing that narrative is not telling the truth,” he said. He also took a swipe at foreign commentary, alleging that external interests often focus more on resource control than genuine concern for Nigeria’s stability.

Proposing solutions, the cleric called for a structured amnesty programme similar to the Niger Delta model, alongside phased ranching supported by government infrastructure.

“We do not even have the resources to educate the young people already sitting peacefully with us. How then do we expect to ranch all the cattle in Nigeria? We must start with grazing routes and model ranches. If we create model ranches, herders will adopt them naturally,” he said.