Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami was linked to several global terrorist organizations after a report by the news site, Independent Newspaper ran a story stating that the U.S had placed the Minister on its Intelligence Service watchlist.
This comes after a trendy video of him in one of his vicious preaching hit the internet. In the video that was reported by SaharaReporters to be in the 2000s, Patami said: “This jihad is an obligation for every single believer, especially in Nigeria,"
He continued: “Oh God, give victory to the Taliban and al-Qaeda (Allahumma’ nṣur Ṭālibān wa-tanẓīm al Qā‘ida).”
Despite denying all links and allegiance to insurgency group Boko Haram, Patami openly expressed his admiration and support for the global extremist groups — the Taliban and Al-Qaeda.
In defending himself, the Minister claimed on his official Twitter handle that his lectures “against the doctrines and all other evil people (terrorists) have been available for over 15 years, including debates that endangered my life against many criminals in Nigeria.”
However, a 2019 academic document ‘Debating Boko Haram’ as seen by The People Gazette showed Patami openly supporting the Taliban and Al-Qaeda.
Pantami invited Muslims, especially “Ahlus Sunna” (Salafis), to be skeptical of politicians and religious leaders calling for peace and understanding but retaliate with Jihad, SaharaReporters wrote.
“This jihad is an obligation for every single believer, especially in Nigeria (hādhā jihād farḍ ‘ayn ‘ala kull Muslim wa-khuṣūṣan fī Nījīriyā),” he added. Pantami’s comments were translated by Professor Andrea Brigaglia, an African expert at Naples University in Italy.
According to SaharaReporters, the document detailed how Pantami offered himself as a volunteer to mobilize the Hisba police of the North, requesting to be appointed as the “commander” (kwamanda) of a militia (ready to travel to Yelwa Shendam) to fight in defense of the Muslims.
The speech, which is about 20 minutes long, concluded with the prayer, “Oh God, give victory to the Taliban and to al-Qaeda (Allahumma’ nṣur Ṭālibān wa-tanẓīm alQā‘ida).”
“During his speech, Pantami is in tears, and his voice is often broken by sighs. The genuineness of his emotional response to what was, without doubt, a dramatic episode in the history of violent conflict in Plateau state is obvious,” said the report.
In a second speech, delivered in 2006, Pantami offered his public condolences for the death of the leader of Al-Qaeda in Iraq, al-Zarqawi.
“May God have mercy on Aḥmad alFāḍil al-Khalayleh, raḥmatullāh’ alayhi. May God forgive his mistakes. He is a human being. He has certainly some mistakes in front of God, so may God forgive his mistakes. Who am I talking about? He is Abū Muṣ‘ab al-Zarqāwī.
The latest development has generated reactions from Nigerians at home and diaspora.
The #PatamiResign is on the Twitter trends with many calling for his sack or resignation. Patami is a high-ranking minister in President Buhari's cabinet. Many describe him as one of the postal boys to the President.
A letter signed by Comrade Deji Adeyanju, the convener for a human rights, social justice, and anti-corruption group based in the United States said Patami has been quoted in several news outlets as "he was happy whenever unbelievers are killed by terrorist groups."
Excerpts of the statement said the Minister had "openly supported and endorsed global terrorist groups like Al-Qaeda and the Taliban. Patami is said to have praised Osama Bin Laden describing him as a hero and a better Muslim than himself. He has not renounced the views in the face of new revelations by the media. His views are extremist views and a threat to a multi-religious nation like Nigeria."
Below is a video of Isa Patami reacting to the killings of some Boko Haram terrorists in the Goodluck Jonathan adminstration
See some reactions from Nigerians
Pantami is such a special son to Buhari, he was given the lee-way to change the Ministry of Communications to Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy (FMoCDE) on the 17th of October, 2019. I really want to see how the #PantamiResign turns out.
— theonly1acre (@theonly1acre) April 16, 2021
Original Copy Received by @USinNigeria. #PantamiResign #PantamiIsATerrorist pic.twitter.com/eWQmC2cNq0
— Ayemojubar (@ayemojubar) April 16, 2021
Fact that a lot of moderates are quiet or defending Pantami after initially claiming Islamophobia may just prove the point that some terrorists enjoy protection from moderates. It’s been shameful to watch. Everybody must now demand his resignation #PantamiResign
— Ayobami Ayobami (@dondekojo) April 16, 2021
Tell your oga that we are uncomfortable with a terrorist sympathizer handling our personal data unless he wants us to believe that it was by design.#PantamiResign https://t.co/pRoL1hoZfL
— Future of Work Evangelist ???????? (@Wolebaba1) April 16, 2021
If Osama bin Laden was a Nigerian
— Mindset????️ (@Mindset_tweet) April 16, 2021
he will be a minister in this Apc Government.
????♂️#PantamiResign
A terrorist apologist is not worthy of being a government official. #PantamiResign
— Olúyẹmí Fásípè (Ìgbàlódé Pastor) (@YemieFASH) April 16, 2021
Whether Nigeria is a serious country or not, we are calling for the resignation of Pantami immediately. Please all of us need to make this trend and put pressure on the government to achieve this. #PantamiResign
— Mr Schrodinger |⚡|????| (@mrflairr) April 16, 2021
This Pantami issue is far more serious than we treat it to be. I had this nightmare last night where Boko Haram had the data and location details of every single Nigerian, including the president. Pantami has to resign and answer the law. We're in danger!! #PantamiResign
— Chukwumaobim (@MOMPERE55) April 16, 2021
Arewa jingoists swore Ijaw man won’t enjoy his presidency. Isa Pandemic was “the crying sheikh,” back then. Pantami said & I quote; “Ebele is depopulating the North.”
— NEFERTITI (@firstladyship) April 16, 2021
They spared nothing against Goodluck Jonathan & NOI. Kemi Adeosun is one of their victims as well #PantamiResign
