Controversial Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, has warned northerners against voting for politicians who will not negotiate with bandits causing chaos across the region.

During one of his recent sermons, Gumi described bandits as warriors who shouldn’t be killed but negotiated with, PM News reports.

The cleric stated: “Don't vote for those who will fight bandits. The fighters are our warriors in the forest……. Our people in the forest.

“So vote for those who after attaining power will call and negotiate with our people (bandits) so as to give them what they want for peace to reign.”

The Islamic cleric's recent sermon has been criticised by a number of Nigerians on social media. Some are wondering why Gumi has not been arrested by the federal government.

@DanielRegha commented: "DSS is always quick to arrest citizens who rightly challenge the govt but almost never go after terrorist sympathizers. Someone like Gumi who keeps defending bandits should be arrested by now; The fact he's talking freely proves this present govt isn't ready to end terrorism."

Wakili commented on Twitter: "Can somebody tell me why the government is not arresting this terrorist sympathizer yet?"

Kingsley says he blames the government for allowing Gumi who he described as a bandit to be walking free.

@IU_Wakilii stated: "I still don’t understand why Sheikh Dr Gumi is roaming about freely and why he is still the Chief Imam of Kaduna Central Mosque. Please I need somebody to explain for me! It’s scary!!!"

Summary of what gumi said here is

“Don’t vote those who will fight our people (bandits) vote for those who call them and negotiate with them”

Can somebody tell me why the government is not arresting this terrorist sympathizer yet? pic.twitter.com/bReAhTDyYv

— Imran U. Wakili (PULLO) ???? (@IU_Wakilii) December 25, 2022

I don't blame Gumi, I blame the irresponsible government that allow the bandit in the name of Islamic Cleric to be walking freely. I am sure that there is a candidate promising not to stop bandits. Shall the North ever be free from their own curse? pic.twitter.com/Tc6PHLatka

— Engr. Kingsley (@_realkingsley) December 26, 2022