The National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to ignore religious extremism allegations being bandied against the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr Ali Pantami, saying the attacks were aimed at getting rid of ‘best brains’ in the APC-led government.
The apex umbrella body for Nigerian youths stated this in a letter to Buhari, sequel to recent media report which emanated from audio and video sermons delivered by the minister, who is also an Islamic Sheikh.
The letter with reference number PRES/GCFR/FGN/NYCN/01/21, also drew President Buhari’s attention to what it described as a wider plot by people with sinister motives to discredit other top federal government functionaries.
The letter, which was made available to journalists read in part: Your Excellency is already aware of the furore generated around the views expressed by Sheikh Isa Pantami in the distant past. The said statements have become a sinister political tool for those who are bent on looking for ways to get rid of your best brains and hands in your government. Sheikh Pantami has unfortunately been singled out as a major target in this subtle and sinister campaign against your government and the Nigerian State.
“It is imperative that we draw your attention to the fact that aside Sheikh Pantami, other government officials and members of your Cabinet are also being targeted on spurious grounds including their religious beliefs or regions of origin. These include the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo; Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr Godwin Emefiele; Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Hajiya Zainab Ahmed amongst others.”
The NYCN letter to Buhari emphasised that “it will be very regrettable to pay any serious attention to the machinations of the enemies of the Change and Next Level Agenda, in light of the fact that the grand plot is to fan the embers of divisions and disintegration, designed to destabilise and make mockery of your government.”
It however, pointed out that “the programme of building a digital economy for Nigeria to join the league of advanced countries of the world is a task the indefatigable Sheikh Pantami is pursuing to the delight of young people of this country.”
The letter quoted the NYCN as noting that the Pantami-led digital economy holds vast potentials not only for the Nigerian youth but will serve as a major revenue spinner for the government.
