Kaduna-based Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, has raised concerns about the pervasive impact of corruption on Nigeria’s development, describing it as a deeply entrenched practice among the country’s elite.
In a recently published interview, Sheikh Gumi emphasized the need for a strategic approach to tackling corruption, cautioning that an aggressive clampdown could provoke a backlash capable of destabilising the nation.
Sheikh Gumi attributed the economic hardship in Nigeria to a combination of global and domestic factors, noting that the downturn in the global oil market has exacerbated the country’s struggles. While he acknowledged that the current administration inherited some of these challenges, the cleric criticised certain policies for contributing to the situation. According to him, the withdrawal of subsidies and the closure of borders have increased economic difficulties, especially for those accustomed to Nigeria’s previous lavish lifestyle.
“The Government came up with stern economic policies that have blocked some people’s businesses, and these people are reacting,” he said, and urged the government to revisit these policies and adopt measures that would encourage economic stability and competition.
Gumi praised the government’s efforts to address insecurity, describing it as a step that could yield economic benefits. However, he expressed concerns about the resurgence of militancy in the Niger Delta and the potential for corruption to fight back.
“We should have tackled this issue of corruption gently because when it fights back, it kills. The people that live on corruption—that is their religion. If you stop it, they would feel that you are strangling them”, he warned.
He argued that Nigeria’s elite, who benefit most from corruption, might retaliate by undermining government policies, which could cripple the economy. Gumi advocated for dialogue and power-sharing with regional stakeholders to ensure stability and progress.
On the issue of blasphemy and religious violence, Gumi called for patience and adherence to Islamic teachings, which discourage taking the law into one’s hands. He linked such reactions to the prevailing hunger and frustration in the country, urging leaders and clerics to educate the populace on peaceful co-existence. “Islam doesn’t allow people to take laws into their hands. The society, clerics, and other leaders have to ensure that this kind of thing does not happen again”, the cleric stated.
Sheikh Gumi advised President Muhammadu Buhari to adopt an inclusive and pragmatic approach to governance by engaging with opponents and accommodating diverse interests. Drawing parallels with Islamic history, he highlighted the importance of dialogue and reconciliation in achieving unity and development.
“Now that we need stability and the president has the goodwill of Nigerians, bringing these stakeholders would really yield results”, he concluded, urging Nigerians to pray for the country’s leadership and unity.
