TheCable

Uwa Suleiman, spokesperson to Isa Pantami, minister of communications and digital economy, says there are plans by “forces of evil” to release doctored videos of the minister. 

Some Nigerians and groups have asked President Muhammadu Buhari to sack Pantami over his past views supporting Al-Qaeda and the Taliban.

But Pantami recanted his past views on the terror groups, saying his position at the time was based on his understanding as a young person.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, Suleiman said “forces of evil are shopping for willing partners” to release doctored videos to further damage the image of the minister.

“We are in receipt of credible intelligence that the same forces who have been championing a well-coordinated and richly funded campaign against the Honourable Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, are now unto the next stage of their diabolic project,” he said.

“This time around, the forces of evil are shopping for willing partners as well as their usual avenues, to release doctored videos purporting to show the Honourable Minister in an alleged compromising condition, as a way of creating injury on his image.

“We are least surprised by this recent move which is a clear intensification of their desperation, having failed in their assault on the personality of the Honourable Minister, despite their previous efforts.

“After concocting lies and half-truths linking the Honourable Minister with terrorism, despite his well-documented stance against Boko Haram and similar groups, these adversaries went to the extent of doctoring a document with capacity to endanger national security.

“It was a relief for peace-loving Nigerians that the gimmick also failed to strike that sensitive chord.

“This notice therefore is to alert the public to the latest ungodly plan and to warn the perpetrators about the consequences of such action.”

Suleiman said the minister will not allow his “hard-earned reputation as a respected community leader, Islamic Scholar and public servant being muddled in the mud by paid agents with no adherence to truth and fear of God”.