Hon. Ndudi Elumelu, the Minority Leader of Nigeria’s House of Representatives, on Wednesday at plenary moved for the immediate resignation or sack of the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Pantami for showing sympathy to the deadly activities of insurgents.
Elumelu who relied on matters of privilege prayed the House to cause a debate on the issue, particularly demanding Pantami’s exit from office.
Recall that an outrage of condemnation has been trailing Pantami’s sympathetic utterances for the jihadists even though he had since apologized for making the remarks in the 2000s before becoming a minister.
Elumelu said that though the minister had apologized, his apology does not hold water.
“Mr Speaker, honourable colleagues, I rise to move a point of order bothering on the infringement of my privileges.
“In the past few days, I have been inundated with calls from my constituents and Nigerians seeking the resignation of the Honourable Minister of Communication and Digital Economy, Dr. Pantami who was allegedly accused of having links which seems to support Al-Qaeda and Boko Haram knowing very well what we are facing with issue of insecurity in the country.
“Although he has apologized, to me, it doesn’t stand. So, I, therefore, call for his immediate resignation or sack.”
Ruling on the matter, the Speaker, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila who presided over the plenary said that the matter had been noted.
“Your point of privilege has been noted,” he said.