The People’s Democratic party (PDP) has demanded for a probe, and eventual sack of the Minister of Communications and Digital Ecoomy, Isa Pantami, due to his past opinions, in support of terrorism.
There had been report that Pantami had “ties with Abu Quatada al Falasimi and other Al-Qaeda leaders that he revered and spoke glowingly of in several of his videos on YouTube.
It was said the Minister was young when he made the controversial comments regarding terrorists.
“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,” Daily Trust quoted Pantami.
Meanwhile, on Sunday, PDP in a statement, by its National and Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyah in Abuja, asked the Department of State Services (DSS) to interrogate the Minister.
The statement in part reads: “The People’s Democratic party (PDP) charges the Department of State Services (DSS) to immediately investigate the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Pantami over alleged affiliations with the Taliban and Al Qaeda.
“The party also demands the president Muhammadu Buhari should immediately sack the minister; given the sensitivity of the issue at stake.”
The main opposition party explained that its position “is predicted on the heightening concerns in the public space and in the international arena of public compromises by the communication minister, who has asses to sensitive government documents and information.
“In addition to data of all individuals, including high profile personalities in the public and private sector as well as the traditional and faith based circles; it expressed worry that “allegations in the public suggesting that the Minister compromised the NIN registration exercise by giving room for the registration of aliens and invaders from other counties as our citizens.
While urging Nigerians to remain vigilant and very sensitive to their environment, PDP said the masses should not hesitate in providing useful information to our security agencies in the interest of the nation.
Ijeoma Njoku reporting, Obinwannem News
