Nigeria’s minister of communications and digital economy Isa Ali Pantami says he is in possession of credible intelligence which shows that there are plans by “forces of evil” to release doctored videos that will portray Pantami in a compromising condition.
Mr Pantami stated this on Tuesday in a statement signed by Uwa Suleiman, his spokesperson and warned that the perpetrators will face the consequences of such action.
The minister has been at the centre of a litany of controversies in recent weeks over his past extremist views supporting Al-Qaeda and the Taliban.
Mr Pantami has however recanted those views saying his position at the time was based on his understanding of religion and global politics as a young person.
ARISE News had reported how Nigeria’s presidency threw its weight behind the minister saying Pantami is being targeted by Information and Communications Technology (ICT) companies who have been on a “cancel campaign” against him.
Thousands of Nigerians and groups have however been relentless in their call for the Nigerian leader Muhammadu Buhari to sack the minister.
“We are in receipt of credible intelligence that the same forces who have been championing a well-coordinated and richly funded campaign against the Honourable Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, are now unto the next stage of their diabolic project,” the statement by Suleiman read.
“This time around, the forces of evil are shopping for willing partners as well as their usual avenues, to release doctored videos purporting to show the Honourable Minister in an alleged compromising condition, as a way of creating injury on his image.
“We are least surprised by this recent move which is a clear intensification of their desperation, having failed in their assault on the personality of the Honourable Minister, despite their previous efforts.
“After concocting lies and half-truths linking the Honourable Minister with terrorism, despite his well-documented stance against Boko Haram and similar groups, these adversaries went to the extent of doctoring a document with capacity to endanger national security. It was a relief for peace-loving Nigerians that the gimmick also failed to strike that sensitive chord.
“This notice, therefore, is to alert the public to the latest ungodly plan and to warn the perpetrators about the consequences of such action. The Honourable Minister will not sit idly to see his hard-earned reputation as a respected community leader, Islamic Scholar and public servant being muddled in the mud by paid agents with no adherence to truth and fear of God.”
By Abel Ejikeme