Former Deputy Speaker, Kaduna State House of Assembly and now an Associate Professor with the state university, Dr. Matoh Dogara, speaks on the release of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria leader, Sheikh Ibrahim El-Zakzaky, Electoral Amendment Bill, and the killings in Southern Kaduna, among other issues, in this interview with Kassim Omomia

The court has this time acquitted the IMN leader, El- Zakzaky, and wife, Zeenat. Hitherto, the authorities had denied the couple bail even when the directives came from the courts.What in your opinion should be done by both parties now?

In the case of the Shiite leader, Sheikh Ibrahim El-Zazaky and his wife, the rule of law and its enforcement should prevail. Nations that have moved forward, are basically because of the respect for constitutional obedience. Nigeria cannot be an exception.

What are your views on the alleged plans to gag the media in the country, notwithstanding that the constitution provides for a free press?

There are several bills. My candid view is that there should be freedom of speech within the limits of peaceful coexistence. For the bills, since they are many, one can only comment fairly if and only if one goes through them and digest the contents of each.

Only recently the National Assembly passed the PIB and approved three per cent funding for host communities against a higher percentage demanded by stakeholders. What does this portend for Niger Delta people.

I consider three per cent to host communities as injustice. Whenever, one visits the Niger Delta and see the level of degradation and pollution, one cannot but sympathise with them. I sincerely call for a second look at the PIB. One may even be tempted to think that it was deliberately considered in that way because it is common knowledge that the host communities can never accept that bill. Ab-initio, it was meant to fail. Again, the National Assembly did not approve the use of electronic transmission of election results. Is this a recipe for rigging, especially in the 2023 general elections?

The amendment of the Electoral Bill once again presents to Nigeria and Nigerians an opportunity to right the wrongs in our electoral laws and conduct. What is, however, amazing is the deliberate refusal of the Nasel President Muhammadu Buhari, will you urge him to decline or assent to the PIB and the Electoral Amendment Bill?

Declining to sign the bills as the President did during the Bukola Saraki-led Senate may not be a good omen. I am of the view that the President should invite the leadership of the National Assembly and ask them to listen to the yearnings of most Nigerians and make amends where necessary. The President to my mind has a moral responsibility of bequeathing to Nigeria the legacy of good electoral laws.

What should the Kaduna State Government do to end the killings in the state?

Justice to one is justice to all. Injustice to one is injustice to all. Government must be seen to be honest and sincere to all and sundry. In all, what is needed is justice, justice and justice.

Do you support Sheikh Ahmad Gumi’s position that government should negotiate and offer amnesty to bandits?

Discuss the issues on a round-table than a unilateral dishing of amnesty. We shouldn’t confuse the Niger Delta Amnesty programme. The South-South has been polluted and their land degraded. The north where the bandits are having their field should convince every discerning mind the reason for the agitation and on the round-table discourse. Only then will the issues be sorted out on its merit.

The Federal Government is currently trying Nnamdi Kanu and is planning to repatriate Sunday Igboho. Are they the real security challenges of the country?

The problem of Nigeria has been created by the deliberate institutionalisation of corruption. Why are people competing for political offices?

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Why do people always have preference for working in the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, Central Bank of Nigeria, among others? If there had been justice in Nigeria, there wouldn’t have been a Kanu or Igboho. Let there be justice to all citizens and the clamouring for this or that will be over.

What can be the solution to returning Nigeria to the path of unity and progress?

Justice to the South; justice to the North; justice to Christians; justice to Muslims; justice to women, and justice to the youth. That is the only solution to returning Nigeria to unity. When there is justice, clamour, and agitation for presidency to the North or South will cease and everyone will be talking about a Nigerian President.