Former Minister, Isa Pantami Denies Saying Politics Is Haram

Former Minister of Communication, Isa Pantami, has refuted the allegation of labelling politics as haram (evil).

Naija News reports that Pantami, a Minister during the administration of late former President, Muhammadu Buhari, made this rebuttal on Friday during an interview with BBC Hausa.

He said his rationale for being in politics is to bring good governance to his people and to Nigeria at large.

He said, “I never said politics is haram.

“I have been a registered APC member since 2019. It’s in the Nigerian constitution that you can’t be a minister if you’re not registered with a political party.” 

Meanwhile, Pantami has dismissed the allegation of killing a student of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University in Bauchi, Sunday Achi.

This comes after a 𝕏 user had referenced a Punch publication, accusing Pantami of having a role in the 2004 killing of Sunday and attempting to exonerate himself of the crime.

According to the publication, Pantami was the Chief Imam of the ATBU mosque when a fatwa led to the student’s death.

The 𝕏 user wrote, “You that killed a student in ATBU, you’re now forming holier than thou. Ori e ti daru pantami.”

In response, Pantami forcefully rejected the accusation and challenged the 𝕏 user to reveal his identity or help the relatives of the deceased by taking the matter to court.

He said, “Thank you for saying your mind. You are making an allegation that is 100% untrue. I have never killed or directed anyone to kill anyone in my life. Either directly or indirectly. If you have any evidence of that, kindly help the relatives of the deceased and take the matter to court. Alternatively, if you are strong enough, provide your full details so that I can take you to court for the false allegation.”