Controversial Islamic cleric, Ahmad Gumi, has reiterated that dialogue with bandits and terrorist groups remains, in his view, the most practical solution to Nigeria’s ongoing insecurity.
In a Facebook post shared on Thursday, Gumi expressed concern that for decades, Nigeria has neglected its most vulnerable citizens, leading to deep-rooted socio-economic inequality. He argued that this imbalance has made many young people susceptible to recruitment by forces seeking to destabilize the country.
According to him, the widening gap between the wealthy and the poor has created a pool of easily influenced youths who become tools in cycles of violence, often tied to the exploitation of Nigeria’s resources.
Gumi also criticized the political elite for what he described as indifference to the situation, while noting that the intellectual class is largely preoccupied with survival struggles.
Reflecting on his earlier efforts in 2021, the cleric maintained that his approach—focused on engaging and reintegrating violent actors into society—remains the best path toward lasting peace. He stressed that achieving such a solution would require strong political will and commitment.
Gumi concluded with a prayer for peace, expressing hope for stability and unity in Nigeria.