Muhammad Sanusi II, the 16th Emir of Kano, has criticized the Federal Government for what he described as the sensationalization and misrepresentation of his recent remarks on President Bola Tinubu’s policies.
The controversy began last week when Sanusi, speaking at a memorial lecture for the late human rights lawyer Chief Gani Fawehinmi, expressed his decision to withhold further advice on addressing Nigeria’s economic challenges unless the government demonstrates a more collaborative approach.
“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,” Sanusi said at the event.
The Federal Government, however, took issue with the remarks. In a statement issued by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, the government described Sanusi’s comments as “deeply disappointing,” emphasizing that it did not require his approval to implement Tinubu’s policies.
Responding to the backlash via his X (formerly Twitter) account, the former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) accused the government of distorting his comments.
He stated that his speech was reduced to a single paragraph, ignoring its broader context.
“They took one paragraph out of context and sensationalised it; nothing about the nuanced support given to the government. That there are arguments supporting the reforms. That we are paying a price for decades of mismanagement before Tinubu. That there is light at the end of the tunnel. That we should all pray and support the system and talk about the good things happening,” Sanusi clarified.
The Emir reiterated that his original message contained balanced views, including acknowledgment of the challenges arising from Nigeria’s past economic mismanagement and cautious optimism for the future under Tinubu’s administration.
