Buhari’s Silence On Pantami Dangerous – Ezekwesili

Former Education Minister, Obiageli Ezekwesili has condemned President Muhammadu Buhari over his continued silence on the controversy trailing the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Ali Pantami.

In a post via her Twitter handle on Thursday, Ezekwesili also faulted the federal government method in handling accusations against the minister, adding that the President’s silence on the matter is dangerous.

The former minister added that the Western world is watching the development surrounding Pantami and how the Buhari government would handle the situation.

Ezekwesili, however, urged President Buhari to ensure that Nigeria is not listed among states sponsoring terrorism.

She wrote, “The @NigeriaGov @NGRPresident @MBuhari may not realize that the world is following the ugly developments on our country’s Minister of Communication and how his government is handling or in fact ignoring to handle it.

“Nigeria must avoid the list of states that sponsor terrorism.”

The @NigeriaGov @NGRPresident @MBuhari may not realize that the world is following the ugly developments on our country’s Minister of Communication and how his government is handling or in fact ignoring to handle it.

Nigeria must avoid the List of States that Sponsor Terrorism✍🏾

— Oby Ezekwesili (@obyezeks) April 22, 2021

Naija News reports that Pantami had once revealed how joyful he used to feel with the killing of those he considered infidels.

The minister said this in three audio recordings of his teachings in the 2000s, when he condemned deadly operations of the then Al Qaeda and Taliban elements who were on a campaign to obliterate the West and conquer other parts of the world.

The minister said; “We are all happy whenever unbelievers are being killed,” Pantami said. “But the Sharia does not allow us to kill them without a reason.”

“Our zeal (hamasa) should not take precedence over our obedience to the sacred law,” he added.

Pantami in his submission while responding to audience questions about his views on the then leader of the terrorist group, Osama Bin Laden, stated that he still considers the leader of the extremists a better Muslim faithful to himself.

But the minister recanted the comments on Saturday, saying that he has “changed several positions taken in the past based on new evidence and maturity.”

Isa Pantami blamed immaturity and limited knowledge for his views back then.

Despite his renouncement, some Nigerians have called for the prosecution of the minister, insisting that he should be jailed if found guilty.

Despite the public outcry, the Presidency has remained silent on the matter.

Also, the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, on Wednesday, said the Federal Executive Council did not discuss the issue on calls for Pantami’s sacking during its meeting presided over by President Buhari.