At the 21st Memorial Lecture of Chief Gani Fawehinmi in Lagos, the Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, openly criticized the current state of Nigeria’s economy while firmly stating his refusal to offer any advice to President Bola Tinubu’s administration. Sanusi highlighted that the nation’s economic struggles are partly due to years of irresponsible governance.
“What we are going through today is at least in part, a necessary consequence of decades of irresponsible 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,” Sanusi remarked. He admitted that not all current economic policies are correct but maintained his stance of withholding commentary until he chooses to speak on the matter.
Sanusi revealed that although he initially extended his support to the government, he has now withdrawn it. “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. They don’t even have people with pedigree that can come and explain to the people what they are doing,” he stated.
The Emir emphasized that while he considers some government officials his friends, he will not continue to act as one if they fail to reciprocate. “They are my friends, but if they don’t behave like friends, I won’t behave like a friend. 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,” Sanusi added.
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Beyond his economic critique, Sanusi called on members of the legal profession to emulate the integrity and principles of the late Chief Gani Fawehinmi. He stressed that the legal field today is lacking the strong character and virtues that Fawehinmi represented.
Sanusi’s remarks have sparked discussions on the government’s economic policies and highlighted the growing concerns about leadership accountability and effective communication with the public.
