- Says officials lack pedigree to explain govt’s policies
The 16th Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, says there is no reason for him to advice the President Bola Tinubu-led administration on ways of addressing the country’s current economic challenges.
According to the royal father, he has decided not to offer any help to correct the Federal Government’s policies that are adversely impacting the citizens.
Speaking at the 21st Memorial Lecture of Chief Gani Fawehinmi, (Gani Fawehinmi Annual Lecture 2025), held in Lagos on Wednesday, Emir Sanusi, as Chairman of the occasion, said the days of assisting the government are long gone because of his resolve not to do so again.
While admitting that those in government are his friends, he however said if they don’t behave like friends, he is also at liberty to behave otherwise.
The outspoken Monarch stated that though there are “a few points” to could offer and explain the trajectory the administration had taken and how such decisions were predictable, he chose not to do so because “they don’t behave like friends.”
He said explaining the policies’ direction would help the government, but he did not intend to assist them due to the way they had treated him.
Hear his reason; ”I can give a few points here about what we are going through and how it was predictable and avoidable. But I am not going to do that. I have chosen not to speak on the economy, or reforms or to explain anything because if I explain it, it will help this government.
“But I don’t want to help this government. They are my friends, but if they don’t behave like friends, I won’t behave like a friend.”
Clearly picking holes in the governance structure, Emir Sanusi said; ”They don’t even have people with pedigree that can come and explain to the people what they are doing. I am not going to help. I started by helping, but I am not going to help. Let them come and explain to Nigerians why they are pursuing the policies that they are pursuing.
”Meanwhile, I’m watching a very nice movie with popcorn in my hands. But I will say one thing: What we are going through today is, at least in part, not totally, but at least in part, a necessary consequence of decades of irresponsible economic management.
“People were warning that if we continued the way that we were going, this is how we will end up but they refused to listen.
“Now, is everything being done correctly? No. When I am ready to talk about the economy, I will.”
“Meanwhile, I’m watching a very nice movie with popcorn in my hands. But I will say one thing: What we are going through today is, at least in part, not totally, but at least in part, a necessary consequence of decades of irresponsible economic management.
“People were told decades ago that if you continue along this path, this is where you’re going to end up, and they refused to open their eyes. Now, is everything being done today correct? No.”
On Gani Fawehinmi’s legacy, Emir Sanusi also challenged lawyers to emulate the virtues of the late philanthropist, Social Critic, Human and Civil Rights lawyer, who was an embodiment of good character and virtues.
He lamented that these are virtues that are now lacking in the nation’s judiciary and legal profession
in general.
Reinstated in 2024 as the 16th Emir of Kano by the current New Nigeria Peoples’ Party (NNPP)-led Kano State Government, Emir Sanusi, was deposed and banished as the 14th Emir of Kano in 2020 by then-Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, who is the current National Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
However, despite being reinstated, Emir Sanusi is facing serious legal battle with insiders hinting that his current travails are being engineered by forces enjoying the federal government’s support and throwing their weight behind his dethroned successor and predecessor, Emir Aminu Ado Bayero.
Just before the Yuletide season, the Kano state government had accused the Federal Government of orchestrating actions to cause unrest in the north West state as operatives of the Police and the Department of State Services (DSS) were drafted to barricade the Emir’s palace, “Gidan Rumfa”, which is sometimes called the ‘Gidan Sark’ located in the heart of Kano metropolis.
