Pantami: Buhari employs and defends terrorists, bandits — Fayose

By Myke Uzendu, Abuja

Following the statement from the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media, Garba Shehu in defence of the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Pantami over alleged sympathy for the Al’qaeda and Talibans, former governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose has lamented that the Presidency has become an employer and defender of Boko Haram terrorists and armed bandits.

The former governor further called on Nigerians to restrict their movements to avoid falling victims to terrorists, who according to Fayose, have taken over the entire country. He lamented that no place is safe in the country anymore.

Fayose in a statement on Sunday, by his Media Aide, Lere Olayinka, said that the position of the Presidency on Pantami has further exposed the government’s hypocrisy, complicity and sympathy for Boko Haram and other bandits.

He said, “It is saddening and worrisome that spokesmen of the president were the ones going from one media house to another to defend someone who openly supported terrorists.

“In the last three days, over 300 Nigerians have been killed across the country, with several others in captivity, and this is still not enough for President, Muhammadu Buhari and his men to wear sackcloth and cover themselves with ashes. Rather, they are seen making merry as if nothing has happened.”

The former Governor lamented that Nigeria is being governed by people who were at one time or the other nominated as Boko Haram negotiator and their lieutenants are those who have openly kicked against military action against Boko Haram terrorists and rejected its categorisation as a terrorist organization.

He said that with the killing of Nigerians from North, South, East and West, it was certain that Nigerians must be impatient to send the present ‘clueless’ APC government packing in 2023.

“In fact, waiting between now and 2023 will remain a pain in the heart of Nigerians.

“It is funny that today if those running the affairs of the country are not telling us that armed bandits must be seen as innocent until proven guilty, they will be saying offence of forgery is more grievous than an open declaration of support for terrorists.

“Because of their inability to take decisive actions against these terrorists that they appear to have sympathy for, Nigeria is no longer safe for anyone to live in.

“Our roads have been taking over by terrorists while Nigerians, including traditional rulers, are now being abducted right inside their bedrooms.

“It is, therefore, my counsel to Nigerians that they should stay in their domains at this period and avoid travelling around the country. Those staying in isolated areas should also endeavour to move to where there are more people.

“It is my prayer that God will restore peace and normalcy to our country.” 

Shehu had in a statement justified that the Minister must be allowed to remain in government having openly admitted that it was in his youthful days that he shared his sympathy for the dreaded terrorist groups. He also argued that sympathy for the terrorist group was a less evil than NYSC certificate forgery.