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Pantami is My Friend, But He Can’t Be Defended

 By Farooq A. Kperogi Twitter: @farooqkperogi This is a difficult column to write because although scores of people have importuned me to in...

 By Farooq A. Kperogi

Twitter: @farooqkperogi

This is a difficult column to write because although scores of people have importuned me to intervene in the controversy regarding Communication and Digital Economy Minister Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami’s utterances before he came into government, my wife, who knows Pantami is my friend, pleaded with me to stay out of it.

But I would be a hypocrite and betray the meaning of my name (and also my late father who taught me the meaning of my name when I was too young to fully grasp it and who never failed to remind me to live up to it) if I sidestep this consuming national controversy because it puts my friend in a bad light.

The truth is that it’s impossible to deploy the resources of logic, reason, basic decency, and even religious morality to defend some of the sermons Pantami gave in the early to late 2000s, especially in light of his current position as a federal minister in charge of a vast treasure trove of citizens’ sensitive information. I’ll come to this shortly.

But, first, how did the controversy about Pantami’s past preachments come to the forefront of national conversation? A story appeared in a few Nigerian news sites on April 12 alleging that Pantami was a Boko Haram sympathizer and enabler who is now on the radar of America’s intelligence community.

The most prominent of the newspapers that gave wing to this story was James Ibori’s Daily Independent, which alleged that Pantami had “ties with Abu Quata¬da al Falasimi and other Al-Qaeda leaders that he revered and spoke glowingly of in several of his videos on YouTube” on the basis of which he is now “on the watch list of the [sic] America’s Intelligence Service.”

The backstory to this story is that it was planted by executives of telecommunications companies in Nigeria whose companies are hemorrhaging financially because of Pantami’s December 9, 2020 directive that halted the sale, activation, and registration of new SIM cards until an “audit of the Subscriber Registration Database” is completed.

I know this because at least two editor friends confided in me that they had received the story of Pantami’s alleged links to terrorism and his surveillance by US intelligence authorities from people connected to Nigeria’s telecommunications industry, but that they declined to publish it because it was legally problematic. 

I suspect that Pantami himself has identified the source of his troubles because, on April 15, he ordered a conditional resumption of new SIM card sale, activation and registration from April 19 “as long as mandatory National Identification Number (NIN) verification is done and the guidelines of the Revised National Digital Identity Policy for SIM Card Registration are fully adhered to.”

Nonetheless, in spite of efforts by paid and unpaid media and social media “influencers” to defend him—and the retraction of the story that alleged his sympathies for domestic and international terrorists—the truth is that his rhetorical entanglements with extremist Salafist ideologies, which I wasn’t familiar with until fairly recently, justify the critical scrutiny he is receiving now.

In a series of reports, complete with audiographic accompaniments, the Peoples Gazette has unearthed sermons by Pantami that amounted to unvarnished homiletic endorsements of terrorism and intolerance of non-Muslims.  

For instance, in response to a question about Osama bin Laden’s “killing of innocent unbelievers,” Pantami said although he conceded that Bin Laden was liable to err because he was human, “I still consider him as a better Muslim than myself” and pointed out that “We are all happy whenever unbelievers are being killed, but the Sharia does not allow us to kill them without a reason.” You can’t defend that.

People’s Gazette also unearthed an audiotape in which he engaged in a weepy defense of Boko Haram terrorists against extra-judicial killings and asked for an amnesty for them just like Niger Delta militants. “See what our fellow Muslim brothers’ blood has turned to? Even pig blood has more value than that of a fellow Muslim brother,” he said.

In the aftermath of the religious crisis in Shendam in Plateau State in 2004 in which Christian militiamen murdered scores of Hausa Muslims, Pantami was livid and tearful. In an audio of his preaching, he said the “Ahlus Sunna,” that is, people who are now called Salafists, should strike back and shun politicians and religious clerics who preached peace and restraint.

“This jihad is an obligation for every single believer, especially in Nigeria (hādhā jihād farḍ ‘ayn ‘ala kull muslim wa-khuṣūṣan fī Nījīriyā),” he said.

In his March 2019 paper titled “The ‘Popular Discourses of Salafi Counter-Radicalism in Nigeria’ Revisited: A Response to Abdullahi Lamido’s Review of Alexander Thurston, Boko Haram,” Professor Andrea Brigaglia of the University of Cape Town, South Africa, writes:  

“Subsequently, Pantami offers himself as a volunteer to mobilise the Hisba police of the Muslim-majority states and to be appointed as the ‘commander’ (Hausa: kwamanda) of a militia ready to travel to Yelwa Shendam to join the fight in defence of the Muslims. The speech, which is about twenty minutes long, concludes with the prayer: ‘Oh God, give victory to the Taliban and to al-Qaeda’ (Allahumma ’nṣur Ṭālibān wa-tanẓīm al-Qā‘ida).”

There are many more indefensible rhetorical endorsements of extremism that can be found in Pantami’s past preaching. In my opinion, it is legitimate for non-Muslims to be concerned that someone with that sort of baggage is a federal minister—just like it would be valid for Muslims to be outraged if a Christian minister has been shown to have espoused extremist views before they became minister.

Yemi Osinbajo, for instance, has been accused of being an intolerant, narrow-minded Christian extremist who wallows in his Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) bubble, who employs only Yoruba people who belong to the RCCG, but while that is condemnable, no one has yet accused of him advocating views as extreme as Pantami’s when he was a pastor.

Nevertheless, while I denounce Pantami’s past embrace of extremism in his public preaching, I want to point out that there is a vast disjunction between his rhetoric and his person. People who know him outside the pulpit attest to his compassion, kindness, and peacefulness. 

Although an April 15, 2009 U.S. diplomatic cable (exposed by WikiLeaks in 2011) about the religious crisis in Bauchi during that year said “Imam Fantami Isa, who preached at the mosque, had been previously thrown out of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University and of a Gombe mosque for preaching inflammatory rhetoric,” he is not known to have instigated any religious upheavals since then.

I also think he has evolved from the days of his fiery homiletic entanglements with stochastic terrorism. I can point to a few evidentiary proofs. First, although he said in one audio that he wanted to push Nigeria to the point where there would be no iconography in our national currency and even political campaign posters, he now obviously loves photography.

Second, although previous sermons expressed contempt for working for the government and even derided Islamic clerics who do, this is Pantami’s second political appointment. Before he was appointed minister, he was DG of NITDA.

Third, he earned a doctorate from the UK’s Robert Gordon University in 2014 and is now so enamored of the West that he even claims on his Twitter page and elsewhere that he was “trained” at “Oxford; Harvard; Cambridge; MIT/IMD” although he only attended a few weeks’ courses there after being in government.

But the notion that these facts show evidence that he has changed is just my extrapolation. If he indeed has evolved like I think he has, he should address a world press conference and say so. At the very least, he should give the context for his previous incendiary preachments.

 No one can do this for him. Paying media houses to “fact-check” un-fact-checkable claims (such as whether he is on a watchlist) and to cleverly twist facts to deceive a gullible reading public— and social media “influencers” to muddy the discursive waters— won’t help him.

After all, in December 2020, Sheikh Aminu Daurawa who, like Pantami, countenanced Al Qaeda and the Taliban in the early to mid-2000s, released an audiotape renouncing his past. And he isn’t a government appointee. 

As Desmond Ford reminds us, “A wise man changes his mind sometimes, but a fool never. To change your mind is the best evidence you have one.”

90 comments

  1. This pen softly stand between friendship and Truth, if element of friendship wasn't there this pen as usual would have poured more ink with more hammer. But it unfortunate the tele company use his past to get a score. And he too quickly dance their beat but I do understand the heat. Let see were it all end.

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    1. "This pen softly stand between friendship and Truth, if element of friendship wasn't there this pen as usual would have poured more ink with more hammer. " I cannot express my admiration of this quote. If not for friendship, the Kperogi I know would have deployed all the vocabularies in his arsenal to lampoon Pantami. Anyway, I salute his ability to still speak the truth.

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    2. "This pen softly stand between friendship and Truth, if element of friendship wasn't there this pen as usual would have poured more ink with more hammer. " I cannot express my admiration of this quote. If not for friendship, the Kperogi I know would have deployed all the vocabularies in his arsenal to lampoon Pantami. Anyway, I salute his ability to still speak the truth.

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    3. I share your view, the Atlanta pen grew very feeble this weekend. Bringing Osibanjo’s issue here sounded more like trivializing the matter

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  2. Yes, Prof., only a fool never changes his mind.

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  3. Apt and sincere
    It is apparent that pantami even if had a past like that has changed and is pushing for same...his fight against terrorist is a clear indicator

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  4. If It Is True That PANTAMI Can't Be Judge Base On His Previous Public Teachings/Speeches (As Some Viewed), Then, There Is Need To Publicy Quote Him Denouncing Himself From Such Previous Radical Jihadist Views. Not Just His Partisans To Be Advocating Him On The Media, Let Him (PANTAMI) Publicy Do It Himself.

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  5. Prof,you just did what a friend will do to a friend. Advising him timely.

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  6. It's a good thing you let down the hammer lightly. One's past is always around the corner because the internet never forgets. He needs to address this issue himself Asap!

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  7. "this is a classical example of if u fight corruption it will definitely fight back..like your submission he should hold a world press briefing

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  8. Well stated with friendship input.... The fact still remains that Patanmi is an extremist with sympathy and romance with world deadliest terrorist organizations.... He shouldn't be anywhere close to government talk less of heading our communication ministry.
    What a risk.

    The telecommunication companies striking back is well understood lots of businesses, jobs and investments are on the brink of collapse.

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  9. Your past is always your past. Even if you forget it, it remembers you.

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  10. In countries like America, Saudi Arabia or Golf countries, Pantami can't be appointed a minister. The only way out is to resign.
    To issue a press conference to retract his view will create more enemies among the salafist and will be considered a coward.

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  11. In countries like America, Saudi or Golf countries, Pantami can't be appointed a minister.
    To issue a press conference to retract his statement will make him a coward in some quarters.

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  12. In saner climes, Pantami will have resigned or been sacked. But this is Nigeria where anything goes

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  13. Well, the minister has stepped on some toes and he is being attacked. Nothing more. Let him continue as the minister to complete what he has started.

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  14. One can't be more objective especially when it concerns an individual you know. Put Kperogi on the spot. Have seen responses denouncing him as soft peddling for his friend though I see nothing clearly of the sort in the write up.

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  15. The Quilliam foundation just shot down.

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  16. Prof was more of a liberal scholar in his view about Pantami in this column than his radical approach to this kind of weighty matter! #Pantamimustresinge

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  17. If he has a modicum of being ashamed, conscientios, he should kindly resign. A good example of that honourable path has been laid by Ms. Kemi Adeosun on his NYSC certificate scandal.

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  18. He now takes photographs. Good for him. But has nothing to do with alleged terrorism here.

    We are talking about lives and you are using photographs to justify Change in jihadist view.

    Jihadists don't change. They hardly do. Someone who believes something to the extent of preaching it numerous times can't just change like that.

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  19. No, he hasn't evolved , he is only following his chosen strategy - Participate in governance until you have enough power to achieve your core aim !! This is an old strategy of Power seekers.

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  20. Religion will never bring development, it will rob people of humanity that is the basis reason by which God created heaven and earth. Those whose brains are brainwashed by religion are the less developed people around the world.

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  21. I find it somewhat unsettling that one should wash away such sensitive evidence with "he has changed".

    Let us also look at it from the angle of restrategization. He probably realized that he could be able to do more damage as an educated government official. Is he not doing so already?

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  22. Comprehensive article with a meaningful treatment, but if Pantami decided to denounce his previous believes now, I don't think he chooses the right time because he have already confused the public with his selfish interest and unfactual self-censorship since assuming national assignment.

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  23. I think addressing a press conference as you adviced is the best way to save his image. But before then, he should also honourably step down as a Minister. We have seen good example of former Minister of Finance - Kemi Adeosun...now safer from Nigeria mental destruction just in the name to serve the country.

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  24. The truth does not need filters,

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  25. You should clearly taken your wife's advise. I don't understand the intellectual gymnastics in this piece. There was absolutely no need referencing Ibori or even Osibanjo

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    1. You have said it all. There was no need writing on the subject if he was not ready to speak truthfully and clearly too.

      Why bringing in Ibori and Osibanjo in this ? Prof. just gave a subtle Defence and a public advice to his friend. Stay true to your name sir.

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    2. Read it again. He didn't defend but x-rayed him.

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  26. Fair enough - for a friend in need!

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  27. Thank you Prof. For this in depth analysis.

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  28. Why are some so called salafists full and quick of their opinions and claim it's Islam,they never look into humanity which is the true Islam.I could Sheikh Adam Al-Ilory spoke against the opinion of some northern elders of non Muslim being the state Governor that later hunt them.
    The same thing occur to Patanmi in his past sermons.
    The same way an Islamic scholar(salafist) in the south west Nigeria here says Boko Harams are not Kafir.

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  29. Indeed, Pantami has enjoyed a much friendly touch from the Prof's pen, if I were him I would seize this opportunity and call for world press conference to quickly address this issue. Otherwise, the journalists are still at work.

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  30. Prof. You've said it all, from the best of my knowledge I know that the cleric is just reaping what he sow. May Allah forgive us all.

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  31. Wow! Sheikh (honourable) Pantami is truly in a dilemma.

    And true there are indefensible utterances he made in his past preaching.

    That world press conference is very necessary at this time.

    But I urge him not to peddle back on the Revised National Digital Identity Policy on SIM card registration.

    He is the only minister in this administration who is evidently working.

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  32. This is the takeaway for me.

    “A wise man changes his mind sometimes, but a fool never. To change your mind is the best evidence you have one.”

    — Desmond Ford

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    1. Does this apply to religion or religious ideologies Sir? This is a genuine question btw.

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  33. Your allusion to Yemi Osinbajo is entirely baseless and has no merits. There is no basis or history for your allegation, much less the ridiculous accusation which you refer to. I consider it disingenuous, vacuous and intellectually dishonest on your part to even consider such constipated falsehoods and comparisons. You may seek to give your friend a soft landing, but it should not be at the expense of another's reputation - especially one that is so stellar and committed. Tell your friend to own up to his crimes.

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  34. The heat you gave Pantami has justified your friendship. What deserves a fiery furnace is treated with heat from vigorous palms friction. You carefully avoided the 'resign Pantami' call. After all, every position has a price - this one is friendship. Though I came as humoured by a few of your lines: one of which is, 'he was “trained” at “Oxford; Harvard; Cambridge; MIT/IMD” although he only attended a few weeks’ courses there after being in government'

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  35. Pantami should honourably resign. He is a dangerous fundamentalist.

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  36. Religion is a way of life, but when we see a way of life as a way of terror, it should be checked and there must be consequence for that. How I wish Nigeria is a country where peace and justice reign

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  37. I think Pantami should come out clarify the public on this

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  38. In your attempt to cuddle your friend, you have perfectly exemplified the popular slang 'money miss road'. Why bring Osinbajo into the picture? How does it correlate? Why not stick to the subject matter and engage it hands-on. Osinbajo is a complete package, better yet,an embodiment of excellence. His loyalty to both beliefs can never be questioned. He approaches both religion with utmost respect and sanctity. Let's not talk about the fact that his chief of staff is a Muslim. When next you try to paint a picture, paint it perfectly...

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  39. I agree with you. He should have renounced his past but.

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  40. 'But the notion that these facts show evidence that he has changed is just my extrapolation'. Sorry but the extrapolation holds no water. Getting educated to confuse rather help the people. i saw what you did there.

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  41. Sheikh Pantami is being tested. May Allah guide him to make the right decision. The objectivity you carried into this piece is remarkable. I believe the information at our disposal at a particular time and place determines our decisions. And I also believe if some of us will be in place of Sheikh Pantami at that particular time only Allah knows the kind of decision we will make. 911 was a moment that changed the world we used to know. Many countries have dramatically changed their foreign policies in fear of being attacked by the "Super Powers". We all knew how lies were concocted to justify the invasion of Iraq leading to the death of millions of Muslims including women and children. Former British Prime Minister tendered an apology for inhumanity. The invasion of Iraq made the Muslim world vulnerable to different attacks. The destruction of Libya, Syria, Yemen, and even the about a decade insurgency in Nigeria is a result of the Iraq invasion. Nobody will be happy and calm when his brothers are being targeted and killed.

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  42. This write up smirks of jealousy. Disappointed as always.

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  43. Absolute piece of advice.....what are friends for if we can't tell ourselves the truth, well done mr Farooq

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  44. He should simply resign his office.

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  45. Thank you Prof Kperogi. What about lives his previous extremist preaching must have claimed? The Atlanta note this weekend tried to give Pantami a soft landing. This goes to inform me that there are no real security checks on our public officers. For a clean conscience, He should repent of his past in his resignation letter, that is what courage requires.Eddie

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  46. Prof I've followed your essays for quite a while. I've never seen you struggle this much. I see you are between the devil and deep blue sea. While I empathize with Dr Pantami, I pray he does the honorable thing; denounce his past extreme views or resign his appointment.

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  47. "He said Bin Laden was liable to err" 3,300plus persons died on that day that ushered in despair in parts of the world and joy in some others. 3300 persons were error.
    As for those persons who chip in with "but Americans went after Iraq" this is a terrible decision in hindsight but it was reactionary.

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  48. Prof I've followed your essays for quite a while. I've never seen you struggle this much. I see you are between the devil and deep blue sea. While I empathize with Dr Pantami, I pray he does the honorable thing; denounce his past extreme views or resign his appointment.

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  49. Apt, concise and expository.

    I particularly like this..

    But the notion that these facts show evidence that he has changed is just my extrapolation. If he indeed has evolved like I think he has, he should address a world press conference and say so. At the very least, he should give the context for his previous incendiary preachments.

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  50. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  51. I can't figure out pantamis agenda. Are they building a great firewall like that of China? Very soon readers of this website as well as their comments and favourite haunts might have this information in their government assigned I.d.

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  52. They will shed blood and beat down any mass movement. From Zaria to Abuja to Lagos. They are consistent.

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  53. Subtly defending a friend with entanglement with religious extremism is a BOLD effort, I must concede that to Prof Kperogi. But the whataboutism in introducing Osinbajo into this piece and the feeble painting of Pantami as having renounced his sympathy for extremism is very unfortunate.

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  54. Good job...guess he had seen the light

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  55. Good conscience demands that Mr. Pantani resigns. But this is Nigeria.

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  56. Respect Faroogkperogi Remain blessed

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  57. The only meaningful world press conference Pantami can address is to announce his resignation, though that's far-fetched in our clime. How could a person with such historical and tempestuous linkages with extremism have been appointed a Minister of the Federal Republic in the first instance? It shows either lack of due diligence or duplicitous intent by his employers. If Pantami meant well, he should have used his contact with Boko Haram to dissuade the ideologues from their ruinous pursuits. How are we sure he is not even divulging sensitive information to his "insurgent friends"? We need patriots as Ministers who will work conscientiously for the collective good of the country. That is the only way we can maximise our untapped potentials. Last line: Without any iota of doubt, Farooq Kperogi is an accomplished and pungent writer who chooses his words carefully and deliberately but his reference to Yemi Osinbajo was mischievous, misplaced and insidious. Twice Osinbajo has acted as President of Nigeria and twice he has shown he will be very effective and fair to all if given the opportunity to govern this great country. There is no point comparing oranges and toxic beach apples.

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    1. Pantami will not resign. Let the tele industry sponsors know that NIN has come to stay.

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  58. They also said:"actions speaks louder than words ". His (pantami) position prove that he retreat from his past stand. Besides, you'll be lost in count if you were ask to mentions his preachment audiotapes that against territories and terrorism.

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  59. Some contents of this note are quite funny.

    The said US diplomatic cable exposed by wikileaks reads thus:

    “(Note: We were told by the Catholic Diocese that
    Imam Fantami Isa, who preached at the mosque, had been previously thrown out of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University and of a Gombe mosque for preaching inflammatory rhetoric. End Note.)“
    So a one-sided narration by a Catholic Diocese against an Imam is reported as a finding even without scrutiny?
    For instance, when was he thrown out of ATBU and by whom? Also, which mosque in Gombe had he been thrown out of, by whom and when?

    Secondly, the so-called audio “unearthed” by the People’s Gazette has a distorted translation to suit the narrative in the publication. Every Hausa speaker will easily see that.
    Pantami said the ND militants’ crimes weren’t as worse as those of BHT, but it was inverted in the translation.

    More so, why was it not deemed a problem when Aljazeerah made a full report of the extrajudicial killings, but a big issue because Pantami discussed about it in a lecture?

    It’s evidently clear that some people are after Pantami. There’s no going back on the policies he’s rolled out. Whoever isn’t comfortable with that can migrate to South Sudan.

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  60. You found yourself still in that difficult situation on which side you should swing between your heart and friendship.
    You failed this time to advise him to resign as you would usually do, as the only honourable thing to do.

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  61. From the full content of the mind, the mouth speaks

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  62. When we cried out because of the kind of people we currently have in Leadership of the National Assembly, who openly confessed that they'll just be a rubberstap some people thought we didn't foresee things like this.
    This terrorist sympathiser went for screening at the National Assembly.
    It means that there was no background checks on him.
    Don't tell me about him, (Pantami) holding a press conference to denounce his former ideals and beliefs.
    What if he does it because of his current benefits with this regime?
    In saner clime, this man should have been in a dungeon.
    Someone who offered himself to lead likeminds to go mime lives?
    Human Rights Activists should please take this issue up.
    My Bio-Data isn't safe with Pantami.
    I'm seriously worried over this exposure.

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  63. Your comments are well understood. You are a friend indeed. A friend defending a friend in a subtle manner but that's Nigeria. I noticed you avoided taking a position whether he should resign or not based on his past rhetorics. Not even an advise on the part of honour he should have taken. In summary, you ended up "selling" him. Hnmmmmm

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  64. He should just resign responsibly and keep to his preaching and incitement... He is best fit as a sectionalist than a Nationalist... People like him should not be holding public office... I am appalled that Buhari's government deems this man best fit for Minister of Communication...

    Nemesis is catching up with him...

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  65. Mr Kperogi used nice strategy to try and bail out his friend by first accepting that he was wrong.

    Farooq then proceeded to give a wrong comparison between Pantami and Osinbajo, very different. The VP's accusations has never be proven and neither is it extremism- calling for the death of others.

    Furthermore, Mr Kperogi's foundational excuse for his friend about the telecos being the trigger is unfounded and w/o evidence.

    In conclusion, Farooq Kperogi has proven himself to be a good friend to Isa Pantami, but he hasn't successfully deceived some of us.

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  66. Thanks for your note.

    1 Why the emphasis on James Ibori and Osinbajo?

    2. Why trying to prove that you are unbiased or non-hypocritical, you surreptitiously and classically extolled Pantami and painted him as a victim of the machinations of some telecom giants.

    Your mastery vituperative and villifying description of others who have committed less crimes than Pantami were comatose.

    In conclusion the summary of your note was classically explained in Proverbs 18:24

    A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.

    Thanks

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  67. Thanks for your note.

    1 Why the emphasis on James Ibori and Osinbajo?

    2. Why trying to prove that you are unbiased or non-hypocritical, you surreptitiously and classically extolled Pantami and painted him as a victim of the machinations of some telecom giants.

    Your mastery vituperative and villifying description of others who have committed less crimes than Pantami were comatose.

    In conclusion the summary of your note was classically explained in Proverbs 18:24

    A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.

    Thanks

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  68. He shouldn't only organize press conference but, let him repent truly from his heart & let him resign.
    Prof. Thank you. You have truly done well to your friend with this advice. I Pray he listen

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  69. Sec. 5, Terrorism Prevention Act, says: ‘Any person who knowingly, directly or indirectly solicits or renders SUPPORT to a TERRORIST group, commits an offence & is liable to imprisonment of not less than 20yrs’

    @DrisaPantami is GUILTY as charged. https://t.co/yt9Iv3hw1u https://t.co/kqM6qVV9kj

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  70. I'm not a Pantami defender and I disagree with his past views. But I want to inform Nigerian non-Muslims and southerners that all what Pantami has said is part of mainstream opinion in the far north. There is hardly any Islamic scholar or devoted Muslim who doesn't share those views. Therefore, going forward, other Nigerians have to ensure that no devoted Muslim from far northern Nigeria joins the federal cabinet again or hold any government post.

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    1. It is absolutely wrong to generalise that most of the Muslims in far north share this view of terrorism. It will be absolutely correct to say that most of those muslims in wahabi (izala, salafi) share those view. But to those of us who follow sufism (the majority) and those shiite muslims are so far away from this kind of views

      Delete

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