Outrage As Gumi Warns Northerners Against Voting For Politicians Who Will Not Negotiate With Bandits

Controversial Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi has sparked reactions over the warning to Northerners ahead of the 2023 election.

This publication understands that Gumi recently warned Northerners against voting for politicians that will not negotiate with terrorists.

According to Legit, Gumi during a recent sermon described bandits as warriors who shouldn’t be killed but negotiated with.

In his words: “Don’t vote for those who will fight bandits. The fighters are our warriors in the forest……. Our people in the forest.

“So vote for those who after attaining power will call and negotiate with our people (bandits) so as to give them what they want for peace to reign.”

The statement sparked outrage among many Nigerians who faulted Gumi over the statement and questioned why he has not been arrested by the Department of State Service (DSS).

See some of the reactions below

@DanielRegha wrote: “DSS is always quick to arrest citizens who rightly challenge the govt but almost never go after terrorist sympathizers. Someone like Gumi who keeps defending bandits should be arrested by now; The fact he’s talking freely proves this present govt !sn’t ready to end terrorism.”

@PEC_Concepts wrote: “He’s not Igbo bro. Nobody will arrest or question him on the basis of that statement. He’s above the law. That’s the kind of country we found ourselves”

@highlandre1 wrote: “DSS should swing to action and ask him serious questions. This statement is quite condemnable. Sadder is the fact that people like Gumi walk freely in our society while the poor and weak are hounded by security operatives. Sad”

@dom_ottih wrote: “Gumi will be neither arrested, detained, kidnapped or harassed by any Nigerian security agents. He is no Nnamdi Kanu. He is not an Igbo man. He comes from the right part of the country and the right tribe, the ruling tribe.”

@gbeyeleads wrote: “How this man finds it easy to say these atrocious things and very conveniently too without a single invitation by Nigerian security agencies has to be the 10th wonder of the world. Sheikh Gumi, you must thank your stars until that day of accountability comes.”

@EmperorEzemmuo wrote: “Is it high time DSS and other security agencies invite this man for questioning
You waant one Nigerian that is what you get in one Nigerian ok, do not complain, do you see how Gumi is working free in Nigeria just because he is from the north, do you see the reason we need Biafra nothing but Biafra”

@dee_vman wrote: “Only in Nigeria would a Cleric be publicly endorsing Terrorism and Banditry, and the Government would give him Police Protection! Forget the media sensationalism & sectionalism in DSS. Gumi expresses his opinion which is protected by law. We should stop giving credence to the criminalization of free speech by security agencies. Gumi, Tukur Mamu, Prof Pantami non had been evidently linked with terrorism.”

@Gallupeffect wrote: “Gunmi called Bandits warriors in the forest? So he is taking responsibility for all they are doing? How come Nigerians are sounding surprised?”