You’ll regret it if Isa Pantami loses his job, Sheikh Gumi warns Nigerians

Nigerians will regret it if communications minister Isa Ali Pantami is removed from office, controversial Islamic cleric Sheikh Ahmad Gumi has warned.

Nigerians had continually mounted pressure on the presidency to sack the minister while some called for his resignation following the re-emergence of his public declaration of support for terrorist groups in the past.

But Gumi, a Kaduna-based Islamic preacher who had consistently called for negotiations with bandits, insisted that Pantami was not sympathetic towards terrorists.

Gumi, who was speaking in an interview with Roots TV said the embattled minister was rather a nation-builder who was working to attract other youths of his ilk to support the government.

“Show me one person he has killed,” Gumi demanded.

“He has not killed anybody. He has not ordered the killing of anybody. The man is stabilising a government among a section of youths which we want them to come and join in nation-building.”

Gumi also said Pantami was a victim of wicked campaigns to remove him from office.

“And you people are fighting them. No. You should get more people like Pantami and put them in power. Don’t remove him. You’ll regret,” he warned.