A former Minister of Aviation in Nigeria, Femi Fani-Kayode has branded prominent Islamic scholar, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi “worse than Shekau”.
Abubakar Shekau was the leader of Boko Haram. He died in May 2021.
Sheikh Ahmad Gumi has been criticised by majority of Nigerians over his pro-bandits comments. He has canvassed many times for amnesty for bandits wreaking havoc across the north of Nigeria, saying those he met in the past have repented.
Sheikh Ahmad Gumi was at the forefront of the negotiation with the bandits who kidnapped Government Science College students in Kagara, Niger State, early this year.
Sheikh Ahmad Gumi also led a delegation to visit bandits in their forest bases in Kaduna and Zamfara States for what he said were peace talks.
Sheikh Ahmad Gumi and Bandits
However, his demand for blanket amnesty for the bandits has been criticised by Nigerians who feel bandits deserve punishment for their heinous crimes.
“Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, the Rasputin of Arewa, whose father once said a Christian must not rule Nigeria & who himself said the FG must not declare the killer bandits as terrorists is worse than Abubakar Shekau & Al Barnawi. He is a venomous snake & a wolf in sheep’s clothing,” Fani-Kayode wrote on his verified Twitter handle on Wednesday.
Sheikh Ahmad Gumi is the current Mufti and mufassir at the Kaduna central mosque Sultan Bello. He is the eldest son to late Shaykh Abubakar Gumi, a man instrumental in the islamization of Nothern Nigeria particularly under late Sir Ahmadu Bello.