Controversial Islamic cleric, Sheik Dr. Ahmad Gumi, has urged Nigerians to engage in peaceful protests to convey their grievances to the government. In a video clip, Sheik Gumi emphasized the importance of peaceful demonstrations, cautioning against violence or incitement.
Sheik Gumi noted that protests are a crucial tool for driving change, stating, “Politicians are very stubborn, it is mass protests that only disturb them.” He acknowledged concerns about comparisons with past protests in Sudan, Lebanon, and Liberia, highlighting Nigeria’s unique diversity. “In Sudan and Liberia, the conflicts were like family feuds, which are very dangerous. But Nigeria is different, with diverse ethnicities, religions, cultures, tribes, and sects.”
The cleric expressed optimism that peaceful protests would convey the public’s demand for good governance and development. “Protest is the only language the government understands,” he asserted, urging authorities to heed the calls for reform and improvement.
Sheik Gumi criticized the government’s response to protests, contrasting it with previous protests led by current officials. “In 2015, Muhammadu Buhari and other top All Progressives Congress (APC) officials came out to protest that the previous government had spoiled Nigeria. Then, protest was legal, but now it’s illegal,” he lamented, highlighting the inconsistency in how protests are viewed and treated.
The cleric’s comments come as discontent grows in northern Nigeria, with some planning protests to voice concerns about the economic situation, including rising inflation and poverty, during President Tinubu’s administration. Sheik Gumi called for constructive dialogue and meaningful reforms, concluding, “God willing, the protest will proceed peacefully, and the government must understand and respond positively to the language of protest.”
