For years now, controversial cleric and President Muhammadu Buhari’s Minister of Communication and Digital Economy, Sheikh Isah Ali Pantami has remained untamed in his effort at controlling every thread and channel of communication in Nigeria.
National Information Technology Development Agency NITDA is headed by Pantami’s former Technical Assistant Kashifu Inuwa Adullahi; Galaxy Backbone Limited, a Government enterprise under the Ministry of Communication and Digital Economy is currently headed by Sheikh Pantami’s kinsman from Gombe State Prof. Mohammed Bello Abubakar. Nigeria Postal Services NIPOST and the Nigeria Communication Satellite Limited (NigComSat) are currently chaired by Sheik Pantami’s “Chosen” men.
Sadly, despite all these, terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and other forms of criminality have continued perennially to bedevil the country. Another development uncovered by this platform is that Sheik Pantami has his “disciples” in strategic positions in all the agencies under Ministry of Communication and Digital Economy. These “disciples”, according to a source who pleaded anonymity, serve in different categories as Special Advisers and Technical Advisers. “They are powerful and have become the Minister’s “eye” in those agencies”.
The discreet source who spoke to LeadingReporters further revealed that one agency that demystified and deflated the Minister’s raging ego is the Nigeria Communication Commission.
“Sheikh Pantami’s effort at riding off the Executive Vice Chairman of Nigeria Communication Commission, headed by Prof. Umar Garba Danbata was greatly resisted. Prof Umar is not a walk-over and his innovative ideas cannot be thrown to the winds to please one desperate man”
“Sheik Pantami cooked-up allegations against Prof. Danbata with the intention of getting him sacked by Buhari to enable him (Pantami) replace him with his Nephew.
“Pantami is still scouting for pitfalls with which to nail Prof. Danbatta and thus get him off the way. Pantami is doing everything possible to get Prof. Danbatta sacked and replaced with his relative who is currently serving as his Personal Aide in Ministry of Communication.
“While NITDA is in total grip of the Minister, allegedly as a conduit for funding his gubernatorial ambition, the Minister is targeting NIGCOMSAT for the purpose of influencing election in his favour. Pantami is positioning himself for Governorship Election in Gombe State come 2023. Remember that INEC has requested collaboration with NIGCOMSAT for the purpose satellite coverage electronic transmission of election results.
“His (Pantami) towering promises to turn Nigeria into a hub of digital affluence are just words laden with deception, manipulation and deep wicked intention.