Controversial Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, has refuted claims of a Christian genocide in Nigeria, describing the allegations as politically motivated and aimed at influencing Nigeria’s 2027 general elections.
Gumi made the remarks on his Facebook page while reacting to U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent designation of Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” over alleged persecution of Christians. Trump’s decision followed international pressure to address reports of mass killings in parts of the country — a move Nigeria’s presidency has repeatedly dismissed as unfounded.
According to Gumi, the entire uproar is a distraction fueled by “unpatriotic bigot clerics” and foreign interests seeking to destabilize Nigeria. “Nothing concerns Americans with our internal problems,” he wrote, accusing some local religious leaders of aiding “imperialists” who want to divide the nation and exploit its resources.
He added, “Nigeria is under their evil eye of religious bigotry! We are sharing a country not only with criminals like bandits and IPOB, but also with unpatriotic clerics who help outsiders to sow division. All the bluff is about 2027.”
Gumi further called for a shift in Nigeria’s foreign policy, urging the government and citizens to recognize who the “real enemies” are. He warned that those spreading narratives of genocide could be paving the way for new conflicts, saying, “The danger to us is that they may form and start arming another militia like they have done in other places.”
His comments have sparked heated debates online, with many Nigerians divided over his claims — some agreeing with his political interpretation, while others accused him of downplaying the country’s sectarian violence.
