The Islamic cleric broke his silence over his visit to the Oyo State capital late last year following criticism from some quarters that he was attempting to promote northern Islamic ideologies in the South-West.
Gumi maintained that he was not invited by any Muslim group or individual in the region, explaining that he attended the event in his capacity as a representative of northern Islamic scholars.
He stated this in a Facebook post on Tuesday, a day after one of the victims of the recent abduction in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State dismissed claims that the kidnappers had demanded the implementation of Sharia law in the state as a condition for releasing their captives.
The principal of Community High School, Esiele, Mrs Rachael Alamu, who appeared in a viral video from captivity, said the abductors neither demanded the introduction of Sharia law nor a N1 billion ransom as widely reported.
According to her, the gunmen were instead seeking the release of their associates currently being held by Nigerian authorities.
Similarly, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) rejected reports linking the kidnappers’ demands to Sharia law, describing the claim in a statement issued on Monday as “a lie from the pit of Jahannam (hell).”
The group argued that opponents of Islam had inserted the alleged demand into the negotiation process in an attempt to damage the religion’s image.
Backing MURIC’s position, Gumi suggested that Islamophobia was influencing political discourse in the South-West.
“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?” He asked.