The loud call for Nigeria to cut ties with the United States is coming from Sheikh Abubakar Gumi, and it is already stirring strong reactions. In simple terms, the cleric is telling the country to shut the door on American military support after recent airstrikes on ISIS targets. This position poses a big question Nigerians cannot ignore: is this advice about peace, or is it about politics and influence?
What Actually Happened
The issue started after U.S. forces carried out airstrikes on ISIS fighters in north-west Nigeria during the Christmas period. The Nigerian government confirmed that the operation was done with cooperation from local authorities and intelligence. The aim, according to officials, was to weaken terrorist groups that have continued to kill civilians and destabilise communities.
Instead of welcoming any help against terror, Sheikh Gumi came out strongly against the action. He warned that foreign military support, especially from Washington, would bring more problems than solutions.
Gumi’s Argument
The cleric believes involving America will turn Nigeria into a battlefield for global powers. He argues that foreign soldiers attract more enemies and deepen insecurity. He also insists that Nigeria should seek help from countries he calls “neutral,” like China, Turkey, or Pakistan.
He went further to say that fighting terrorism is an Islamic duty, but should not be done with the help of nations he accuses of killing innocent people elsewhere. According to him, airstrikes alone cannot end terror, and only strong local ground forces can solve the problem.
But Who Gave Him This Authority?
This is where many Nigerians are angry. Who made Sheikh Gumi the voice of national security? Nigeria is a sovereign country with elected leaders, military commanders, and security experts. Decisions about war, peace, and alliances are not religious sermons.
For years, bandits and terror groups have killed Nigerians across villages and highways. Where was this loud concern when innocent people were being kidnapped, taxed, and slaughtered daily? Now that terrorists are being hit hard, suddenly the solution is to stop cooperation?
The cleric himself hinted that this debate could shape the 2027 elections. That alone should make Nigerians cautious. When security talk starts sounding like campaign messaging, it stops being about safety and starts becoming about power.
Nigeria’s Right to Choose
No country fights terrorism alone anymore. Nigeria has the right to work with whoever it believes can help save lives. Cooperation does not mean surrendering sovereignty. It means using every available tool to protect citizens.
Is it perfect? No. But walking away from support while terror groups are still active sends the wrong signal. It tells criminals that pressure works.
The real danger is not foreign help. The real danger is mixed messaging. When influential voices dismiss military efforts and cast doubt on every operation, it weakens morale and emboldens terrorists.
Nigeria needs unity, not sermons that confuse the public and question every security move without offering real solutions.
Final Thoughts
The demand that Nigeria should suddenly abandon American military support sounds dramatic, but it ignores reality on the ground. Terror groups do not care about ideology or speeches, they understand force and strategy. Until insecurity truly ends, Nigeria must keep all options open and not be pressured by one man’s opinion, no matter how loud it sounds.
So the question remains: should Nigeria listen to a cleric’s warning, or focus on what actually reduces terror and saves lives?
