Wike: No reasonable government will allow Pantami in its cabinet

Nyesom Wike, governor of Rivers, says no reasonable government will allow Isa Pantami, minister of communications and digital economy, in its cabinet.

In videos from the 2000s, Pantami, who is a known Islamic scholar, was reported to have said while he was against the extremist anti-western ideologies of Boko Haram, he supports some of what Al-Qaeda and Taliban had preached.

The minister has, however, disowned his earlier views on the terrorist groups.

The minister’s previous comments on Al-Qaeda has generated reactions, with some Nigerians calling for his resignation.

Speaking in an interview with the African Independent Television (AIT) on Tuesday, in Port Harcourt, Rivers state capital, Wike said in an ideal society, the allegations against Pantami should jolt any government into action.

“No government can fold its hands and allow it. I don’t understand why any reasonable government will allow such a person to be in the cabinet,” the governor said.

“But you were here when DSS wrote a report against (Ibrahim) Magu. What happened? Look, I have never seen a country that your secret service wrote a report about the nominee of Mr President, questioning his character and the rest, and that he is not appointable. What happened? So, what are you talking about. What removed Magu is a power play.”

The governor described as worrisome the decision of the federal government to remain silent amid the raging controversy concerning the minister.