Isa Pantami Still A Supporter Of Extremist Islamic Sects – Ozekhome

Mike Ozekhome (SAN) has stated that Nigeria’s Minister of Communication and Digital Economy, Isa Pantami, is still a fanatic, fundamentalist and supporter of extremist Islamic sects.

In a statement on Thursday titled, ‘Isa Patami: The Leopard And Its Unchanging Spots’, the human rights lawyer said Pantami is unfit to oversee critical digital and telecommunications agencies of government because “his antecedents are quite worrisome”.

He said though the communications minister recently renounced his radical pro-Taliban comments ” a leopard cannot change its spots”.

Mike Ozekhome disclosed that the minister only last month contracted an Islamic TV to cover a Federal Government event.

He said: “Only recently, On March 22, 2021, Pantami’s Ministry hosted a virtual flag-off ceremony for a capacity development programme empowering 600 people with VSAT Installation Skills. Pantami himself was present and he even spoke at the event. It was a Virtual Flag-off Capacity Development Programme on VSAT Installation Skills and TVRO Systems for 600 youths by Pantami.

“The ceremony was not covered by AIT, Channels, NTA, TVC, ITV, or even FM Youtube channels. Rather, a very little-known Islamic TV channel called Al-Afrikiy was contracted to relay an event organized by a whole Federal Government of Nigeria. It must be borne in mind that Al-Afrikiy is not merely an Islamic-influenced learning TV station, it is also an Islam-only TV channel. It broadcasts strictly religious matters.”

Ozekhome pointed out that in saner climes Pantami should have resigned immediately without more or be sacked forthwith.

“By the way, where was the DSS (Department of State Services ) which was supposed to screen Pantami before his name was sent to the Senate? Why did it turn its focus away from these destructive extremist views of the very Minister in charge of Nigerians’ information data, with unabridged access to same, including NIM, BVN, biodatas, etc?

“What about our fawning rubber stamp “take-a-bow” Senate that was supposed to do a very thorough screening of Pantami? Why did it simply allow the Carmel to pass through the needle’s eye? When will it winnow out the chaff from the real wheat? Why has it turned a sacred duty on behalf of Nigerians into a “yes sir” party affair, which suggests that President Buhari can do no wrong, or make any mistake?” he queried.