Islamic scholar Ahmad Gumi has weighed in on the reported cancellation of Nobel laureate Wole Soyinka’s United States visa. News of the visa revocation sparked reactions across the country after Soyinka revealed the development while speaking with journalists at Freedom Park in Lagos. Soyinka said he had no knowledge of any wrongdoing that could have led to the decision.

The incident has since stirred public debate, with Nigerians expressing shock and concern on social media. Many described it as an unexpected diplomatic move, given Soyinka’s global reputation as a respected literary icon and human rights advocate. His supporters questioned what might have prompted such a drastic measure from US authorities.

Reacting to the situation on Facebook, Ahmad Gumi compared Soyinka’s experience to his own past visa issues with Saudi Arabia. The cleric suggested that the visa cancellation may be an attempt to silence outspoken figures who challenge authority. According to him, such actions only reflect fear of dissenting opinions rather than strength.

Gumi noted that freedom of speech remains a fundamental right and insisted that no government can truly silence individuals committed to speaking the truth. “You cannot silence those who don’t depend on you to survive,” he wrote, implying that true activists remain undeterred regardless of restrictions placed on them.

The development has reignited conversations about human rights, political criticism, and the pressure intellectuals face on the global stage. Whether diplomatic or political, the action has raised important questions about the treatment of outspoken voices in global politics and the growing tension between power and free expression.