Christian Cleric Defends Pantami, Says Past Views Shouldn’t Determine Gombe 2027 Ambition
A Christian cleric, Rev. Prof. Jidda Musa Gelengu, has defended the 2027 governorship ambition of former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Prof. Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, saying he should not be judged indefinitely over views he publicly renounced years ago.
Gelengu made the position known in a statement titled, “Prof. Pantami: Should His Past Hold Him Down?”, following renewed criticism of the former minister on social media after he declared his intention to contest the 2027 Gombe State governorship election.
The cleric recalled that controversy over Pantami’s past comments gained national attention in 2021, shortly after his appointment as a minister by former President Muhammadu Buhari.
He argued that the issue should be viewed in the context of Pantami’s subsequent clarification and public repudiation of the views attributed to him.
According to Gelengu, the key question is whether a person who has acknowledged and renounced past positions should continue to be defined solely by them.
“If the wrong has not been renounced, the answer is yes. But where it has been acknowledged, renounced and forsaken, it is illogical and unjust to continue holding a person guilty,” he said.
Gelengu further argued that Pantami had demonstrated a change in his position through his public statements and conduct while serving as Minister of Communications and Digital Economy.
He said Pantami had explained that the controversial views were expressed during his younger years and that he subsequently abandoned them as he gained greater maturity and broader understanding of religious and societal issues.
The cleric also pointed to Pantami’s public rejection of Boko Haram’s ideology and his efforts to counter extremist narratives as evidence of his claimed transformation.
Gelengu cited the National Identification Number-SIM linkage policy implemented during Pantami’s tenure as one of the former minister’s contributions to national security. He argued that the policy strengthened the capacity of security agencies to identify and track suspected criminals and terrorists.
He added that Pantami faced reported threats from terrorist groups over the policy but remained committed to its implementation throughout his tenure.
The cleric maintained that continuing to question Pantami’s transformation without fresh evidence could undermine the principle that individuals can acknowledge mistakes, change their views and contribute positively to society.
“We have all held erroneous opinions at some point while growing up, only to discard them when confronted with stronger evidence. Why should Pantami’s case be made a negative exception?” he asked.
Drawing from Christian teachings, Gelengu cited the biblical accounts of the apostles Peter and Paul as examples of personal transformation preceding leadership and public responsibility.
He also referenced Pantami’s previous leadership at the National Information Technology Development Agency and his tenure as minister, as well as his emphasis on human capital development, as factors he believes should form part of the assessment of the former minister’s suitability for public office.
Gelengu urged voters in Gombe State to assess Pantami based on his current convictions, public record and vision for the state, rather than solely on positions he has publicly repudiated.
He expressed confidence that Pantami possesses the leadership qualities required to govern the state if elected in 2027.
