CG: Reactions Trail What Sheikh Gumi Said After Hearing Reports That FG Paid $9M To US Lobby Firm

Islamic cleric and public commentator, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi has reacted to reports that the Federal Government allegedly spent about $9 million on a United States right-wing-connected lobbying firm, urging Nigerians to prioritise divine approval over foreign validation.

Gumi made the remarks in a Facebook post after learning of the reported expenditure, which has sparked widespread debate over government spending priorities amid economic hardship and insecurity across the country. According to the cleric, resources channelled toward lobbying abroad would be better used to support the poor and vulnerable within Nigeria.

“Nigerians should lobby for Allah’s Pleasure. He’s the Greatest the Almighty. $9m to enriched the poor will go well in the favors of God. And if Allah is with you, you don’t need the approval of idiots,” Gumi wrote.

The outspoken cleric argued that seeking international approval through costly lobbying efforts does little to address the real challenges facing Nigerians, particularly poverty, hunger, and insecurity. He maintained that genuine leadership should focus on improving the welfare of citizens rather than spending huge sums on image management outside the country.

Gumi further suggested that investing such funds in social welfare programmes would not only uplift struggling communities but also earn moral and spiritual rewards. He stressed that caring for the poor and displaced aligns more closely with religious and ethical values than engaging foreign lobby firms.

His comments come at a time when many Nigerians are grappling with rising living costs, unemployment, and the impact of prolonged insecurity in several regions. Critics of the reported lobbying deal argue that the funds could have been channelled into humanitarian relief, education, healthcare, or security interventions.

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