Presidency Declares Support for embattled Minister Amid Calls for Pantami's dismissal

The Nigerian presidency has finally reacted to the allegations that the minister of communication and digital economy, Dr. Isa Pantami, made statements in the past supporting terrorists groups.

The presidency's reaction was contained in series of tweets by the senior special assistant on media and publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu.

Shehu in his statement on Thursday, April 22, defended the embattled minister by aligning with the submission of Pantami that he was young when he made those statements.

Pantami: 5 crucial points presidency raised on embattled minister

President Muhammadu Buhari, through one of his media aides, Garba Shehu, on Thursday, April 22, gave a crucial response to the widespread call among Nigerians for the sack of Isa Pantami, the minister of communications and digital economy.

The presidency's unflinching position is that President Buhari is not considering the removal of Pantami from office as requested by many sections of the Nigerian populace.

In fact, the president has made a statement of defence for the minister, explaining why he should retain his seat.

There are as follows;

1. Smear campaign

The view of the presidency, the agitation for Pantami's sack is nothing more than part of a smear campaign to bring him down and rubbish his reputation alongside his many contributions to the growth and development of the nation.

In specific term, Shehu in the statement said these moves against Pantami is an insidious phenomenon that seeks to cancel his career.

2. His Past is gone

The presidency noted that whatever it was former Islamic cleric believed in and preached in the past has been renounced and rejected by him.

Part of the statement that captures this stance read:

"The minister has, rightly, apologized for what he said in the early 2000s.

The views were absolutely unacceptable then and would be equally unacceptable today, were he to repeat them. But he will not repeat them – for he has publicly and permanently condemned his earlier utterances as wrong."

3. He was young

Closely linked to this is the argument by the presidency that the preacher was young at the time he made some controversial remarks, adding that around that period, he was just in his twenties but has acquired a better understanding of the reality of things with time.

The presidency said:

“In the 2000s, the Minister was a man in his twenties; next year he will be 50. Time has passed, and people and their opinions – often rightly – change."

4. Fairness in judgement

Based on the foregoing, the president also informed Nigerians that his administration will continue to be fair in dealing with all Nigerians, including Pantami, with a view to improves lives.

President Buhari said his government "is committed to improving the lives of all Nigerians – and that includes ensuring they are not over-charged or under-protected for those services on which modern life depends."

5. Plot against Pantami by politicians

Another claim by the presidency is that the plot against the minister is sponsored by some persons in opposition political parties.

The statement noted that verified information points to the fact newspaper editors turn down financial offers from politicians who are scheming to use to media to propagate their evil campaign against Pantami.

The statement mentioned: "...there is now well-reported information that alleges newspaper editors rebuffed an attempt to financially induce them to run a smear campaign against the minister by some ICT companies."

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