The Speaker, House of Representatives, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, on Wednesday, shut down a motion seeking the urgent resignation of Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Isa Ali Pantami.
Many Nigerians have called on the minister to resign honourably or be sacked by President Muhammadu Buhari after videos emerged of him expressing support for terror groups, Al-Qaeda and the Taliban.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP); The Punch Newspapers; Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike; Minority Leader of House of Representatives, Ndudi Elumelu; and Convener, Concerned Nigerians, Deji Adeyanju, are among prominent organisations and individuals that have demanded Pantami’s removal.
Pantami has since apologised for the “controversial comments” made in the early 2000s, blaming immaturity.
Moving the motion at plenary on Wednesday, Minority Leader, Hon. Ndudi Elumelu asked the House to cause a debate into the matter leading to the minister’s resignation.
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He stated that the minister’s 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, Mr Pantami who was allegedly accused of having links which seems to support Al-Qaeda and Boko Haram knowing very well what we are facing issue of insecurity in the country.
“Although he has apologised, to me it doesn’t stand. So, I, therefore, call for his immediate resignation or sack”.
Gbajabiamila said that Elumelu did not raise the issue in conformity with House rules.
However, the Speaker said, “Your point of privilege has been noted”.