The member representing Pankshin/Kanke/Kanam, Plateau State in the House of Representatives, Rep. Yusuf Gagdi has blamed Nigerians for the confirmation of Dr Isa Pantami as a minister.
He said that there was not prior objection or petition against Pantami before his screening by the National Assembly.
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The communications and Digital Economy minister has been under fire for his comments praising terrorist groups like Al Qaeda and the Taliban.
Gagdi disclosed that the Department of State Services (DSS) and the National Assembly discharged their responsibilities diligently while screening Pantami.
He disclosed this while responding to questions from journalists on Wednesday over allegations that the National Assembly has not been diligent in its screening exercise.
“I would not say that DSS and the National Assembly acted in in error. The NASS and DSS are not God.
“You will never get every information about every individual during confirmation because the NASS is not God. You don’t have the capacity to know everything about me.
“So, it is when the DSS know that that they recommended. And it is equally what the NASS saw that they recommended.
“And if you want to hold DSS and NASS responsible, what of you as an individual. Over 180 Nigerians, you were unable to,” he said.
Gagdi added that, the announcement for Pantami’s nomination was made and was presented to the floor of the senate.
“He was screened and no individual out of over 180 Nigerians was able to remember that comment made to write a petition to the NASS for them to act or not to act.
“So if NASS or DSS should be held responsible, the people of this country should equally be held responsible, because they were unable to do their job by bringing the information to the NASS,” he said.
