No Church Or Mosque Should Campaign For Anybody In The Church; It Is A Place Of Worship — Gumi

In an interview on PAPShow on Thursday, October 29, 2026, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, a prominent Islamic cleric, cautioned religious institutions against using places of worship for political campaigns ahead of the 2027 general elections, arguing that churches and mosques should remain dedicated to religious activities.

Gumi made the remarks while discussing the forthcoming elections and the relationship between religion and politics in Nigeria. He maintained that religious institutions should not become platforms for promoting political candidates, stressing the importance of preserving their primary purpose of worship and spiritual guidance.

According to Gumi, “No church or mosque should campaign for anybody in the church; it is a place of worship.” He made the statement while expressing concern about the involvement of religious institutions in political activities and the need to maintain neutrality in places of worship.

The Islamic cleric argued that churches and mosques serve people with different political preferences and should not be used to advance the interests of particular candidates or political parties. He maintained that religious leaders should focus on their spiritual responsibilities rather than turning congregations into political campaign grounds.

Gumi’s comments also highlighted the importance of allowing Nigerians to make independent political decisions without undue influence from religious institutions. He suggested that political choices should be left to individual citizens, who must assess candidates according to their convictions and expectations.

Furthermore, the cleric’s position reflects the broader debate about the role of religion in Nigeria’s political landscape, where religious identity sometimes influences electoral discussions and political mobilisation.

He concluded by warning religious institutions against using their platforms to campaign for political candidates, emphasising that churches and mosques should remain places of worship rather than venues for partisan political activities.