President Muhammadu Buhari has
reacted to the backlash against Isa Pantami, the Minister of Communications and
Digital Economy.
Buhari declared his support for
Pantami amid the backlash from Nigerians.
Pantami was recently linked to
terrorists’ organisations like Al-Qaeda and Taliban due to his past radical
preachings.
Following the emergence of his
past, Nigerians have been calling for his sack and prosecution.
Pantami, however, distanced
himself from such extremist groups.
He also admitted making such
controversial comments but claimed his perception has changed.
Responding, Buhari berated
Nigerians for their harsh disposition towards Pantami and some public
officials.
He stated this in a statement
signed by his spokesman, Garba Shehu.
The statement reads: “Today,
there is an unfortunate fashion in public discourse that makes leaders in
politics, religion, and civil society liable in the present for every statement
they have ever made in the past – no matter how long ago, and even after they
have later rejected them.
“This insidious phenomenon seeks
to cancel the careers of others on the basis of a thing they have said, regardless
of when they said it.
“The Minister of Communications
and Digital Economy, Dr Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami is, currently, subject to a
“cancel campaign” instigated by those who seek his removal. They do not really
care what he may or may not have said some 20 years ago: that is merely the
instrument they are using to attempt to “cancel” him. But they will profit
should he be stopped from making decisions that improve the lives of everyday
Nigerians.
“The Minister has, rightly,
apologized for what he said in the early 2000s. The views were absolutely
unacceptable then, and would be equally unacceptable today, were he to repeat
them. But he will not repeat them – for he has publicly and permanently
condemned his earlier utterances as wrong.
“In the 2000s, the Minister was a
man in his twenties; next year he will be 50. Time has passed, and people and
their opinions – often rightly – change.
“But all discerning Nigerians
know this manufactured dispute is nothing to do with the Minister’s prior
words, but solely concern his actions in the present.
“This Administration is committed
to improving the lives of all Nigerians – and that includes ensuring they are
not over-charged or under-protected for those services on which modern life
depends.
“The Minister has been leading
the charge against illegal data deductions and pricing; he has revolutionized
the government’s virtual public engagement to respond to COVID-19 and save
taxpayers’ money; he has established ICT start-up centres to boost youth
entrepreneurship and create jobs; he has changed policy to ensure locally
produced ICT content is used by ministries, starting with his own; and he has
deregistered some 9.2 million SIMs – ending the ability for criminals and
terrorists to flagrantly use mobile networks undetected. In two short years,
Minister Pantami has driven the contribution of the ICT sector to the GDP to
more than 18 percent, making it one of the top two playing a critical role in
the emergence of the economy from the COVID 19-induced recession.
“In putting people first, the
Minister and this administration have made enemies. There are those in the
opposition who see success and want it halted by any means. And there is now
well-reported information that alleges newspaper editors rebuffed an attempt to
financially induce them to run a smear campaign against the minister by some
ICT companies, many of which do indeed stand to lose financially through lower
prices and greater consumer protections. The government is now investigating
the veracity behind these claims of attempted inducement, and – should they be
found to hold credence – police and judicial action must be expected.
“The Administration stands behind
Minister Pantami and all Nigerian citizens to ensure they receive fair
treatment, fair prices, and fair protection in ICT services.”
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