Reps Minority Leader Elumelu Joins Calls For Pantami’s Removal

The minority leader of the House of Representatives, Ndudi
Elumelu has joined calls for the removal or resignation of the
Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Pantami.

This is concerning the Minister’s past controversial comments
suggesting religious extremism.

The lawmaker on Wednesday raised the issue as a point of order
citing a breach of his privilege. He said Pantami does not qualify
to oversee the ministry of communications which controls the
database of Nigerians.

He noted that the Minister occupies a very sensitive position
and the comments should not be overlooked.

There have been overwhelming calls for the resignation or sack
of the Minister over his pro-Taliban comments.

In reaction to this, the Minister renounced his radical
comments, saying he now knows better but despite this, Nigerians
increasingly called for his sack or resignation.

This led to a trend with the hashtag, #PantamiResignNow on
Social media.

The opposition party, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) also called
on the Department of State Services (DSS) to immediately invite the
Minister for questioning and urged President Muhammadu Buhari to
immediately sack the minister, “given the sensitivity of the issue
at stake.”

– Overwhelming Calls For Removal –

Human rights activists, social media users, and even the
opposition party PDP have called for the removal of Pantami over
statements he made in the past in support of Islamic extremist
groups.

The increasing calls follow the revealing of audio recordings of
Mr Pantami’s past teachings where he declared support for Al-Qaeda
and Taliban.

This generated debates on social media platforms with many
Nigerians calling for his removal and others defending the Minister
who is also an Islamic Cleric.

In response, Pantami denied any links with the groups. He,
however, admitted making the controversial statements supporting
the groups but said he has since renounced those radical
assertions.

According to Pantami, the past radical ideas he was championing
were due to age, immaturity, and limited knowledge. This excuse
however has not calmed the Twitter storm which is threatening to
sweep him from office.

The minority leader of the House of Representatives, Ndudi
Elumelu has joined calls for the removal or resignation of the
Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Pantami.

This is concerning the Minister’s past controversial comments
suggesting religious extremism.

The lawmaker on Wednesday raised the issue as a point of order
citing a breach of his privilege. He said Pantami does not qualify
to oversee the ministry of communications which controls the
database of Nigerians.

He noted that the Minister occupies a very sensitive position
and the comments should not be overlooked.

There have been overwhelming calls for the resignation or sack
of the Minister over his pro-Taliban comments.

In reaction to this, the Minister renounced his radical
comments, saying he now knows better but despite this, Nigerians
increasingly called for his sack or resignation.

This led to a trend with the hashtag, #PantamiResignNow on
Social media.

The opposition party, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) also called
on the Department of State Services (DSS) to immediately invite the
Minister for questioning and urged President Muhammadu Buhari to
immediately sack the minister, “given the sensitivity of the issue
at stake.”

– Overwhelming Calls For Removal –

Human rights activists, social media users, and even the
opposition party PDP have called for the removal of Pantami over
statements he made in the past in support of Islamic extremist
groups.

The increasing calls follow the revealing of audio recordings of
Mr Pantami’s past teachings where he declared support for Al-Qaeda
and Taliban.

This generated debates on social media platforms with many
Nigerians calling for his removal and others defending the Minister
who is also an Islamic Cleric.

In response, Pantami denied any links with the groups. He,
however, admitted making the controversial statements supporting
the groups but said he has since renounced those radical
assertions.

According to Pantami, the past radical ideas he was championing
were due to age, immaturity, and limited knowledge. This excuse
however has not calmed the Twitter storm which is threatening to
sweep him from office.