Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, speaks on the Electoral Amendment Bill and sundry national challenges in this interview with Kassim Omomia
What is your position on the passage of the Electoral Amendment Bill? Does the response of the lawmakers suggest a plot to rig the 2023 elections?
Electronic Transmission of election results is supposed to be an adjutant to ensure credibility and efficiency. But to whose interest, definitely not to legislators, who, by and large, came through the rigged system. In 2015, we saw how the electronic accreditation of voters minimised fraud. So, it is illogical and, in fact, shameful that our democracy is still threatened by people who are supposed to be its vanguard.
What is your take on the Independent National Electoral Commission’s position that it can transmit results electronically?
Without making it a law, it will not be admissible as a proof in a court of law. We just experienced the INEC server denial in the last 2019 elections despite the fact that the INEC chairman was reported before the election as confirming the preparation and readiness of the umpire to effect electronic transmission of the results.
Some members of the House of Representatives are demanding that NCC officials should face prosecution for lying on oath over the electronic transmission of results, do you support this move?
INEC should have the capability of employing satellite internet transmission, independent of any telecom services. At least, for the value we attach to our democracy, it is not a price too high to have credible elections.
How do you situate the case of Nnamdi Kanu and Sunday Igboho alongside the activities of bandits, Boko Haram and herdsmen? Who among these persons and groups are more of a security threat to the country?
Boko Haram definitely has an external backer and are battle harden though seriously degraded. Yet, they constitute the greatest threat to the stability of the nation, being also an ideological struggle. Nigeria has been fighting them for 12 years now in a bloody conflict that has left many Internally Displaced Persons and destroyed the economy of three states.
Kanu and Igboho cannot sustain such an onslaught and military conflict. Therefore, there is no room for comparison. Theirs are secessionist movements based on ethnicity.
The other greater danger brewing is the radicalisation of the herdsmen who are fighting an ethnic survival war that is if the military pressure on them is too much. We have already started seeing such transformation. This will make the Boko Haram conflict a child’s play if care is not taken.
First, the herdsmen are natural warriors from their ‘sharo’ culture you know that. They have a high threshold for pain and suffering. Secondly, they have the sanctuary of a vast range of interconnected forests. Thirdly, they are more numerous traversing many West African countries. Fourthly, they can mingle well with town dwellers that can sustain their logistics, be they relatives, kinsmen or collaborators. It is my opinion that since they are ready to negotiate, let that window be exhausted before thinking of a military solution which is not feasible looking at the Boko Haram experience.
You have been in the forefront of seeking solution to insecurity, especially in the North, why is the government not listening to you?
We have a President that appears to take criticism personally. A successful leader must accept correction even from envisaged foes. I am not a politician, nor I am seeking position or contracts from government. My stake in this country is probably higher than even that of the President, with more children and relatives that I cannot send abroad to school or medical treatment.
Therefore, to me Nigeria’s survival is more critical than these politicians, henceforth my impatience in addressing matters of national interest. So, the language of approach could be the reason, but thanks to God, my mission is becoming clearer to all, and time will be the ultimate healer.
There seems to be a resurgence of killings in Southern Kaduna, what is your take on this?
In Southern Kaduna, the same conflict we see in Northwest can easily be translated through the prism of religion. We could see how Bishop Matthew Kukah addresses the United States Congress in that tune. How- ever, what is happening there is mutual annihilation. In the long run, I see demarcation of Southern Kaduna local government areas according to ethnic grouping or along tribal lines, depending on their census and some historical factors.
What could be responsible for the siege to Kaduna? Some blame it on 2023 politics, while others lay it on the doorstep of foot soldiers? Do you have an idea of the cause?
The herdsmen are to this point apolitical.
The increased attacks we see today cen- tring in Kaduna is because of the partial peace agreement bandits have with border states. Despite these incidents, the bandit leaders involved can be counted by the fingers as opposed to those days when we have reprisals almost daily in Zamfara and Katsina states by numerous groups. What also causes the relative increase in attacks is the harsh provocative language of some politicians against herdsmen when in reality they are also victims of the villains.
Is the present APC administration showing any capacity to end the security challenges in the country? The security situation prevailing in the country is beyond party politics. Neither All Progressives Congress nor the Peoples Democratic Party can do much about it. It requires the commitment of every Nigerian and the professionalism of our armed forces. They must be retrained. The Federal Government should stop the order for extrajudicial killings (shoot-on-sight), arbitrary arrest, incarceration of suspects, blackmail of political opponents, torture of criminals as that hardened them to torture their victims too.
You solicit amnesty as a leeway to ending banditry, while others canvass ransom, which do you consider a better option?
Well, I would not like the government to appear weak in front of these criminals too by accepting officially to pay the ransom. However, when innocent people, especially school children are involved, like when the chibouk girls were kidnapped by Boko Haram, the government should not close any door that can lead to their release. After which they can be engaged appropriately.
What’s a guarantee that these bandits will not return to their business once they are forgiven and rehabilitated?
When you rehabilitate them properly, you can use them to also secure the forests as rangers. They can also be used to plant and nurture trees to curb deforestation. And finally, by educating their children, the circle will, no doubt, be broken.
Credit to This Nigeria
