The CEO of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), Abike Dabiri-Erewa, has accused Minister of Communication and Digital Economy, Dr Isa Pantami of lying over the rebuttal of her claims that he sent armed men to evict the commission’s staff from the office building where they operated from.
She had made the claim in a video released via NIDCOM’s Twitter handle, adding that the incident occurred in February 2020.
According to Dabiri-Erewa, the commission no longer has an office to operate from thanks to the Minister, who forcefully evicted her staff from an office building given to the commission by the Nigeria Communication Commission (NCC).
But reacting, the Director of Public Affairs for the NCC, Henry Nkemadu, explained that the office had not been inaugurated when it was loaned to NIDCOM.
“The NCC has not withdrawn the offer but had hiccups arising from the preparation for the visit of President Muhammadu Buhari to inaugurate the Communications and Digital Economy Complex and launch of other projects relating to the mandate of government,” Nkemadu said.
“Incidentally, after the offer of the office spaces to the NDC, the Director General, Mrs. Abike Dabiri-Erewa had not visited the Complex to take possession of any of the offices and also the Commission had not started using any of these spaces as offices.
“As is usual in ensuring security and accountability before, during and after presidential visits, the building had to be cleared to allow for only known and identifiable persons to have access within the Complex.
“Therefore, the Honourable Minister of the Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, could not have sent armed men to drive the staff of the Diaspora Commission out of the Communications and Digital Economy Complex.”
Backing up the statement, Pantami tweeted:
THIS IS A FAT LIE FROM HER: The owner of the building @NgComCommission has faulted her lies on their social media platforms. The minister has never given that directives to any gunman. We need to be very objective in reporting. I have never sent any gunmen there, & I have no one https://t.co/SUi3n4Qs4E
— Isa Ali Pantami, PhD (@DrIsaPantami) May 24, 2020
Taking to her verified Twitter handle on Sunday evening, Dabiri-Erewa said the Minister lied in the explanation offered.
She accused him of throwing her out of the office because she is a woman.
She further accused him of having a “legendary” disdain for women.
The NIDCOm boss wrote:
An Islamic scholar should not lie Hon Minister .( Phd😂😂)You did that to me cos I am a woman .Your disrespect for women is legendary Left the ugly incident behind me since Feb. But pls release all our office eguipment.Public office is transient .@DrIsaPantami https://t.co/sdcu2tBmtL
— Abike Dabiri-Erewa (@abikedabiri) May 24, 2020
@DrIsaPantami . To refresh you Sir. Despite your denial.The Sec of the Commission seeking for calm .after Staff resumed for work and denied access to the 5th floor office of Nidcom.. Based on your instruction . Turned back by armed men. Haba!!!! pic.twitter.com/QGiIojMqyz
— Abike Dabiri-Erewa (@abikedabiri) May 24, 2020
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