Hajiya Naja’atu Muhammad has denied reports that she sent a delegation to Gombe to apologise to former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Professor Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, over remarks she previously made about him.
Muhammad reportedly made the clarification during an interview with BMC Hausa, dismissing a circulating video and claims that representatives had visited Gombe on her behalf to seek forgiveness from Pantami.
She maintained that she did not send any delegation to Pantami and said she had not withdrawn her position regarding the former minister.
According to reports of the interview, Muhammad described the circulating claim as false and reiterated her criticism of Pantami, using the Hausa expression “Pantami makaryaci ne,” meaning “Pantami is a liar.”
She further alleged that Pantami had contradicted positions he previously held about political participation and public office.
Her comments come after a video circulated online showing individuals reportedly meeting representatives of Pantami in Gombe. The development had been presented in some quarters as an attempt by Muhammad to apologise and reconcile with the former minister.
Muhammad, however, has now rejected that interpretation, insisting that she neither authorised nor sent the delegation.
The controversy comes amid heightened political activities ahead of the 2027 general elections, with Pantami emerging as a prominent political figure in Gombe and Muhammad continuing to comment on political developments in northern Nigeria.
The disagreement between the two figures has attracted attention because of their respective public profiles and positions on political participation and governance.
Muhammad’s latest comments indicate that, rather than withdrawing her earlier criticism, she continues to stand by her position.
The remarks also raise questions about the origin and purpose of the circulating video and the identity of those who met Pantami’s representatives in Gombe.
As of the time of filing this report, there has been no response from Professor Pantami addressing Muhammad’s latest denial and renewed criticism.
The controversy remains part of the wider political discourse surrounding Gombe and the emerging alignments ahead of the 2027 elections.
