Fuel Subsidy Removal:Sheikh Gumi Tables Fresh Demands Before Tinubu Govt

Renowned Kaduna-based Islamic scholar, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, has asked President Bola Tinubu to go after those who stole public funds under the administration of the immediate past President, Muhammadu Buhari, to recover the money and use it to run his government.

The controversial cleric said during a recent interview that Nigeria is broke at the moment, and Tinubu should stop taxing the citizens to fund his administration.

According to Gumi, Buhari failed in his fight against corruption because he refused to take seriously alternatives that were proposed to him; instead, he continued using the institution of fighting corruption to hound and blackmail opponents. “So, his corruption war failed,” the Islamic cleric said.

“So, Tinubu should have the courage not only to deal with anyone found to be corrupt but also bring back all those who have enriched themselves in the past government to vomit what they have stolen. They have to vomit what they have eaten. Nigeria is broke now, and instead of taxing common Nigerians to raise funds to run the government, let the stolen money be returned and met out appropriate punishment on them. If he can do this, I will support him 100%,” Sheikh Gumi said.

The Publisher Nigeria understands that Gumi said this while speaking on his relationship with bandits and other happenings in Nigeria.

Talks With Bandits No Longer Secret

When asked to speak on the speculations that peace talks have started again with bandits terrorizing the Northern part of the country, Sheikh Gumi said: “I heard that there were some contacts made with the bandits, but I am not part of it.”

The cleric, who reiterated his preference for negotiation with the bandits instead of military actions said: “You cannot rule out the role of the military. In fact, even if you are negotiating, you will not be doing that from the standpoint of weakness. So, the military has a great role to play, but the military alone cannot do it because this is a socio-political issue, and the Military does not solve political problems. We have to go to the round table. Also, nobody can tell me the bandits do not want to sit at the table. I sat with them, I called them, they also came to me, they told me their grievances. The moment fire is exchanged, while the other side is ready to sit down for talks, it will complicate the whole issue. I don’t think that is logical; they will continue to blame each other. You can sit and discuss the way out and broker peace which is very possible. That is the way to go.”