Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi’s visit to controversial Kaduna-based Islamic cleric Ahmad Gumi on Monday has elicited reactions from his supporters who tag themselves ‘Obidients’.
NewsClick Nigeria reports that Obi and his running mate, Datti Baba-Ahmed, on Monday, paid a courtesy visit to Gumi in Kaduna, ahead of the 2023 election.
Gumi, who was at the forefront of the negotiation with bandits who kidnapped Government Science College students in Kagara, Niger State, early 2021, also led a delegation to visit bandits in Kaduna and Zamfara State forests, all in the name of peace talks.
Sharing photos from the visit on his Twitter handle, Obi wrote, “Arriving Kaduna with Dr Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, to honour the invitation of the Arewa Joint Committee. Dr Datti and I stopped by for a courtesy call on Sheikh Gumi at his official residence in Kaduna.”
Dr Datti Baba-Ahmed and I stopped by for a courtesy call on Sheikh Gumi at his official residence in Kaduna. -PO pic.twitter.com/jk2Dfq49gy
— Peter Obi (@PeterObi) October 17, 2022
The duo were in the State to attend an interactive session organised by the Arewa Joint Committee for presidential candidates.
However, while some of his supporters saw the visit as part of his strategic plan to dialogue with all aggrieved citizens for peaceful resolution, others saw the move as distasteful and attempt to score cheap political point which might backfire on his presidential ambition
See reactions from below:
Peter Obi's visit to Gumi is a masterpiece strategy. Next on the list are Sheikh Sani Yahaya Jingir, Sheikh Dahiru Bauchi and Sheikh Bala lau. The opposition should find another thing to campaign with not religion. Peter Obi respect Islam and Muslim will vote for him. pic.twitter.com/Sh4jWEU5Ud
— MAYOR OF NORTH (@prexidor) October 17, 2022
And he visited Sheikh Gumi after asking the Church to take back the country. Praise the Lord, Allahu Akbar?
— Gboyega Akosile (@gboyegaakosile) October 18, 2022
Peter Obi says he's f!ghting for a new Nigeria, but he keeps building alliances with the enem!es. Sheikh Gumi has many times defended bandits on live TV, he's a well-known terrorist sympathizer & Nigerians criticize the govt for staying silent. Anyone defending this now is s!ck.
— Daniel Regha (@DanielRegha) October 17, 2022
Politics go carry you go where you no know. You'd be defending things you won't normally defend, even if it makes you sound stupid.
Most of you sound so silly and delusional with your defence for Gumi and Eneche. But that's what politics does to people.
— Kelvin Odanz (@MrOdanz) October 17, 2022
So Sheikh Gumi is now a saint? TwitterNG?
— UNCLE DEJI™️ (@DejiAdesogan) October 17, 2022
Peter Obi is contesting to be president of Nigeria as a whole.
He will dialogue with everyone, even the ones you feel are your enemies. Sheikh Gumi isn't the only Nigerian Peter Obi will meet that you won't like.
He will meet every Nigerian. Thank you.
— DISTINGUISHED Everest (@novieverest) October 17, 2022
Peter Obi visited Sheik Gumi in his capacity as an Islamic leader! If he can visit church leaders, he is allowed to visit Muslim clerics. He will be president of everyone in Nigeria. #PeterObiForPresident2023 #PeterObi4President
— Godson (@Polsaph) October 17, 2022
You really can't spin this visit to Sheik Gumi. As an Obidient, keep quiet if you are not sure what to say. Learn to pick your battles. Supporting someone doesn't mean you defend everything. You'll score own goal. It is politics
"Unifier" no mean say make you add terrorist.
— Sir Dickson (@Wizarab10) October 17, 2022
