The pressing question is why Isa Pantami chose to publicly broadcast the payment of ransom to kidnappers to secure the release of late Naheeba’s five remaining sisters who were abducted in Abuja.
The Isa Pantami Nigerians used to know was a baby-faced, sympathetic cleric who was bold in calling on the government to address the socio-economic issues facing the Muslim Ummah, especially during the rise of Boko Haram. Back in the day, Pantami would use every opportunity to address specific security challenges in the North, and I do not remember Pantami making unsolicited broadcasts to the public to score cheap political points. Pantami’s trademark was the way he cries. The energy and passion he puts into crying is so powerful to the extent of making even the perpetrators rethink their actions. His call for government action made so many take him seriously despite his young age then.
There is currently a YouTube video of him making rounds from the 2006 Yelwan Shendam crisis, where he volunteered to be the commander to fight for the displaced Muslims. A neutral person who watches that video could be persuaded to join him in fighting against the injustice carried out against humanity. The passion demonstrated by the young Pantami was novel, like the insecurity in the North. In the video, he made a point that bringing donations of tens of millions of Naira was a mere humiliation to the victims. It is undeniable that the approach he used to build his followership was appealing.
But today, if any middle-aged northerner is talking about Isa Pantami, the first thing we ask is where the tears are. The question is genuinely asked because that is how he made his name when he was rising. Many who believed his tears were genuine then are now reconsidering their position.
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Of course, one cannot deny that Pantami has since transcended into a full-blown politician who served as a minister under the last administration, but there are expectations that he should follow the principles he preached about as he rose to prominence—call for justice and security in the North—using the Quran and Hadith. Some verses and hadiths highlight the principle in Islam of giving charity discreetly and not for show, emphasising sincerity in acts of kindness.
Quran (2:264) says, “O you who have believed, do not invalidate your charities with reminders [of it] or injury, as does one who spends his wealth [only] to be seen by the people and does not believe in Allah and the Last Day. His example is like that of a smooth stone upon which is dust and is hit by a downpour that leaves it bare. […]” Similarly, from Bukhari’s Sahih Hadith by Abu Huraira, Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said, “Allah will shade seven people under His shade on the day when there will be no shade except His. […] a person who gives charity so secretly that his left hand does not know what his right hand has given.” Clearly, Pantami’s broadcast is contrary to Islamic teachings.
Many do not disagree with the payment of ransom to kidnappers, but this broadcast has more consequences for the insecurity in the country. As of the time of writing, reports show an escalating number of ransom requests and more killings of victims as a threat. His unsolicited broadcast contrasts with his elite position—a former cleric, a former minister of the Federal Republic and a member of the incumbent party.
Pantami is now an elite—no longer the crying Pantami. Additionally, as a member of the incumbent party, he belongs to the Buhari faction that is currently playing the role of opposition from within. If this is the position he took before he made the broadcast, then it is evident that he has scored the required point the opposition faction aims to achieve.
One would think he would consider the Islamic teachings that by broadcasting his friend’s donation, he would be humiliating the victims, as he mentioned in 2006. One would also think he will use his elite position to consider the ramifications of glorifying the kidnappers. So also, how will the voiceless victims feel? So many victims and families have been kidnapped but do not even have the social media clout to solicit ransom contributions. If Pantami had reflected on the sadness that would add to these victims, he would have reconsidered. The worrying thing is that whether Pantami backtracks or not, we will be seeing copycats of this behaviour.
This approach contrasts with the principles of discretion in charity and humility emphasised in ethical teachings. Glamourising ransom payments raises the risk of overshadowing the plight of less visible victims and families who suffer in silence. The internal opposition needs to take a leaf from the main opposition party. They should align with effective strategies to curb the cycle of insecurity because they may not have a platform to oppose if the country goes red.
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