The Muslim Rights Concern, MURIC, has rubbished those calling for the resignation and sack of the Minister of Communications and Digital Planning, Isa Pantami, adding that they are kidnappers, Yahoo boys and bandits.
The group stressed that internet fraudsters and kidnappers against National Identity Number (NIN) registration process are behind what it termed “baseless calls” for Pantami’s resignation.
The past few days have seen Nigerians call for the minister’s sack after an audio recording of his past teachings where he supported Al-Qaeda and Taliban resurfaced.
Pantami, however, admitted making such controversial comments but distanced himself from such extremist groups, with claims that his perception has changed.
MURIC, in a statement by its Director, Ishaq Akintola, urged Pantami not to resign.
The statement reads partly: “It is a baseless call, and it should be ignored. After all, the US itself has denied it. Pantami has been enjoying unhindered multiple entries to the US for a very long time.
“Even Facebook, the US-based social media giant, had Pantami’s picture on Facebook’s digital board for several hours as a mark of honor and respect during one of his numerous visits to that country.
“The campaign of calumny is being pushed by forces against the Federal Government’s NIN policy, Boko Haram terrorists, bandits, criminals in general and political IDPs, Internally Displaced Politicians.
“It is a well-known fact that NIN is designed to expose the true identity of criminals like Yahoo Yahoo boys, bandits and kidnappers who use the internet and telephone to extort money from foreigners and families of kidnapped victims.”
