More Pressure As #PantamiResignNow Gains Momentum

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Nigerians are mounting pressure on Minister of Communications
and Digital Economy Isa Pantami to resign over some controversial
comments he made in the past in support of global terrorist groups
such as Al-Qaeda and Taliban.

Recall Pantami renounced his past controversial comments on
terrorist groups, including Taliban and Al-Qaeda.

Pantami reportedly made the incendiary comments while answering
questions on the late Al Qaeda leader Osama Bin Laden, who
masterminded the destruction of the World Trade Centre.

At least 3000 people died when planes crashed into the twin
towers of WTC on September 11, 2001.

He had initially denied holding any extremists views and chalked
down the reports to defamation of character by people miffed by his
policies as the minister of communication and digital economy.

But in what appears to be a backtrack, the Minister said he was
young when he made the radical comments, adding that he is now
mature and knows better.

“Some of the comments I made some years ago that are generating
controversies now were based on my understanding of religious
issues at the time, and I have changed several positions taken in
the past based on new evidence and maturity.

“I was young when I made some of the comments; I was in
university, some of the comments were made when I was a teenager. I
started preaching when I was 13, many scholars and individuals did
not understand some of the international events and therefore took
some positions based on their understanding, some have come to
change their positions later,” Patanmi said.

But his renunciation of the radical views didn’t convince
Nigerians who increased the demand for his resignation over the
weekend.

With the trending hashtag — #PantamiResignNow, many Nigerians
stated he (Pantami) could not be trusted with the data of
Nigerians, especially with the ongoing National Identification
Number and Subscriber Identity Module integration exercise under
his watch.

Also, some other critics said the views he expressed as a
university student cannot be blamed on age.

Activist Lawyer, Festus Ogun said: “Pantami has now renounced
his extremist views? Logically, that is an admission of guilt —
that he’s an extremist.

“The honourable thing to do now is for him to resign. Failure,
we’ll force him out of office by mass action. It is a patriotic
thing to do. #PantamiResignNow.”

Social commentator, Dr. Ayo Sogunro said: “I was young when I
made some of the comments; I was in university, some of the
comments were made when I was a teenager. – Isa Pantami” — This is
not about age. I was once a teenager too – and I never supported
killing people of different religions or beliefs.
#PantamiResignNow”

Onyedikachukwu said: “Kemi Adeosun resigned over forgery. Stella
Oduah resigned over corruption allegations.

“Everyone condemned them and none asked for forgiveness to
continue as a Minister. Pantami ‘s case won’t be different.”

Abdul-Aziz Abubakar tweeted: “My only problem with Pantami is
how he deceived us by showing his fake concern over Boko Haram
killings during Good-Luck Jonathan’s tenure, but today B/Haram,
Banditry and kidnapping is a normal thing in Arewa and Pantami is
no longer crying. #PantamiResignNow.”

Sherrif Quadri said: “If indeed @DrIsaPantami is a man of God
and a principled one at that, the right thing to do at this point
is to resign.

“It is not a sign of weakness nor it is you conceding out of
guilt. It is just the honorable thing to do.
#PantamiResignNow.”

Somto Onuchukwu wrote: “You had a jihadist slogan that says you
plan to infiltrate the government and “dismantle the entire
system”, how are we sure this is not a fake-renounce, to stay on
and complete dismantling our security architecture? @DrIsaPantami
#PantamiResignNow.”