Pantami seeks review of immunity for leaders

A former Minister of Communication and Digital Economy, Prof. Isa Ali Pantami, has called for the review of immunity for leaders as part of measures to ensure accountability in governance.

He made the call on Sunday in Abuja at the annual state lecture (ASL) of The Muslim Congress (TMC), with the theme: ‘Building a Great Nation: Collective Responsibility of the Leader and the Led’ in commemoration of Nigeria’s 64th Independence Anniversary.

“In Islam, there is no immunity. And the immunity may give you a certain privilege while in office. When you are no more there, there is no any advantage. Sometimes, it’s good for you, but sometimes it allows you to accumulate so many problems.

“And when you leave office, you will discover after four or eight years someone is being confronted with 10, 50 charges, in some situations even 120 charges. So it’s not in any way preventing from justice, but it’s only delaying and allowing you to commit more and more.

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“So under Islamic rule of law, there is no immunity. Each and every citizen, the leader and the led can be questioned, can be dragged to court, and they must go there and defend themselves. It happened with Ali ibn Abi Talib even as the Khalifa of Muslimun, he was dragged to court. Umar ibn Khatab was also dragged to court. So, rule of law is key. And when it comes to rule of law, there must be equality before that law,” Pantami said.

On his part, a former Director, Public Affairs, Voice of Nigeria (VON), Alhaji AbdusSalam Adegboyega AbdurRazaq, said one of the fundamentals of the successes of Muslim leaders of the past was that they don’t ask their people to make sacrifices, while they lived in opulence and enjoy themselves amidst suffering masses.

“The results of their beliefs in Allah and working their talks include trust in leadership and respect for their persons; rumour was easy to eliminate, leaders worked freely among the people; there was willingness to sacrifice for the Ummah, economy grew, education advanced, Romans sent their children to Muslim capitals for learning and Islam conquered the world and effectively ruled India, Africa and other parts of the world,” he said.

Speaking earlier, the Amir (leader) of the TMC, Alhaji AbdulWasi’I Bangbala, said that despite citizens collective struggles, every 1st of October represents such an indelible mark, a date that binds Nigerians of all stripes together.

He said that the theme resonates with the trials Nigerians currently face as a nation, amidst the dire economic circumstances, thus it is crucial to recognize that the struggles are not mere statistical figures, not just numbers but represent tangible hardship.