Many people called me wanted to know why I kept silent on the Sahara Reporters publication on Isa Ali Pantami’s houses and wives. I tried to respond privately to many people, appealing to them to allow me some time as I was convalescing.

I took time to review all the commentaries and counter-commentaries following the reports by Sahara Reporters. Disappointedly, of those who amplified and re-echoed the report, most are from the Muslim North. While I do not support any form of corrupt enrichment by any public office-holder, I tried hard to figure out why the Muslim North cried the loudest over the report, not minding its credibility and from a source usually anti-North and anti-Islam.

Few weeks ago, Sahara Reporters reported that the Rt Hon Gali Na Abba was dead. Less than a month, they reported that Sheik Bala Lau was dead. A source with such an antecedent was taken so serious by some of us on the reports on Pantami. But the Muslim North was mute on lies about the story on death of two of our best.

While opinion from the South on the story were expressed attacking the Buhari Government; on the contrary, the Muslim North were attacking and republishing what Sahara reported about Pantami. Thank God, no political group from Gombe that came out to protest or express solidarity with Pantami. We allowed God to take control of the situation. And, surely He will.

Some elements of the report cannot be in public domain or available to Sahara Reporters without an insider cooperation. Therefore, Pantami must look inwards: politicians and friendly enemies have planted a lot of spies and traitors around him. The earlier Pantami knows this the better. I warned about it before.

When is it an offence for a minister, a Muslim to have three wives? When is it an offence for a minister to separate his 3 wives in three different houses? When is it an offence for a minister to settle or relocate his family to a more secure place? Do you expect him to stay in Jikoyi, Nyanya or Zuba? This was the same minister that was threatened by Shekau, the leader of Boko Haram over his insistence that all Unregistered Sim Cards must be blocked. And, indeed, more than 5 million Sims were blocked. Show me any minister that is not staying in a secured and choice location in Abuja. Just one minister: show me.

On the source of funding those properties. An Architect came out to say he designed one of the buildings, and his client was not Pantami. This alone is enough to cast a serious blow on the credibility of the report. He rented one of the properties. Or, is anyone saying Pantami cannot afford to rent a house in Wuse? Houses and properties are not owned in a vacuum. Can anyone show us the Title Deeds or Purchase Agreement with Pantami’s name? Obviously, Sahara Reporters did not do their home work.

Did the Federal Government or anybody complain that some money or valuables kept under the Minister Pantami were missing? Was there any report about embezzlement or misappropriation? Whose money is missing? Did Pantami ask anyone to buy him a house? Was there a petition from anywhere against the minister? He had a comfortable source of income before he became a minister. He has been in business; he has been consulting for Jaiz Bank. So, what is the big deal?

If Sahara Reporters wants us to take them serious, they should be more professional and do an investigation and give us a comprehensive report on all the ministers and where they are staying in Abuja; how many wives they have, the properties they own or who own them, etc. Starting with the minister from Ondo State where Sowore comes from and not to single out Pantami for this dirty job.

When you start going after the private life of a minister and single him out for attack, you have lost it. By his calling, he never wants to repay evil with evil. That is what he preaches every day. Otherwise, the situation could have been different. Recall that the same Sahara Reporters had earlier published that Pantami collected 20 million at NITDA to import a car from Saudi Arabia, which was a lie. This was just a few months ago. The sponsored campaign will not succeed.

Finally, some of the sponsors of these campaigns against Pantami are known to us and their foot soldiers too. At the right time, God will take control. Politicians don’t change their ways. But God can change anything and can take control.

May God help and protect the just.

•Alhaji Shuaibu Ahmed Gara Gombe writes from AFCT Abuja.

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