Former Governor of Ekiti State Ayo Fayose has berated the Presidency for saying offence of certificate forgery is more grievous than open declaration of support for terrorists.
Fayose said this while reacting to a statement credited to the presidential spokesman, Garba Shehu, that Buhari would have taken a different position on the issue of the Minister of Communication and Digital Economy, Isa Pantami, had been it his came was certificate forgery like that of ex- minister of finance, Kemi Adeosun.
In a video that went viral recently Pantami had expressed views that showed that he had sympathies for terrorist organisations like Al-Qaeda and the Taliban in the early 2000s
The Minister has since renounced his position stressing that he was young and immature when he espoused such views.
Amid growing demand for the resignation of the minister, the presidency issued a statement to back Pantami asking Nigerians to forgive him as he has since changed jettison extremist ideologies.
But reacting to the development Fayose said it’s unfortunate that the the Presidency has become the employer and defender of Boko Haram terrorists and armed bandits.
He noted that the presidency’s stance on Pantami’s case has further exposed the government’s hypocrisy and complicity.
The former governor, who also lamented that no party of the country is safe, called on Nigerians to restrict their movements to avoid falling victims of terrorists, who have taken over the entire country.
He said this in a statement issued by his media aides, Lere Olayinka, today.
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.”
He lamented that “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.”
“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 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 endeavor to move to where there are more people.
“It is my prayer that God will restore peace and normalcy to our country”, Fayose said.
