Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, on Wednesday, criticised the handling of the economy by President Bola Tinubu’s administration, asserting that things are not being done correctly.
The former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria spoke in Lagos at the 16th Memorial Lecture of Chief Gani Fawehinmi organised by the Nigerian Bar Association, Ikeja branch.
He chaired the lecture with the theme: “Bretton Woods and the African Economies: Can Nigerians Survive Another Structural Adjustment Programme?”
The emir urged Nigerian lawyers to emulate the integrity and virtues of the late Gani Fawehinmi, a renowned human rights activist and legal icon who died on September 5, 2009.
Sanusi lamented the decline of ethical standards in the legal profession, describing Fawehinmi as a symbol of good character and moral excellence.
He also posited that the government lacked persons of pedigree to articulate its policies for Nigerians to understand.
Sanusi, said unlike in the past when he offered economic advice to the Federal Government, he would not do the same for the Tinubu’s administration because the government had not acted like a friend to him.
He remarked: “Is everything being done correctly? No. When I’m ready to discuss the economy, I will.”
Elaborating on his decision on his position not to offer economic advice to the government, Sanusi said, “I can provide insights into the challenges we face, how they were predictable, and even avoidable. But I won’t. I’ve chosen not to comment on the economy, reforms, or anything that could benefit this government. They are my friends, but if they don’t act like friends, I won’t act like one either.”
Sanusi was in 2020 deposed as the Emir of Kano by ex-governor Abdullahi Ganduje, who is now the National Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress.
Ganduje banished Sanusi and replaced him with Aminu Ado Bayero.
However, the incumbent Kano Governor, Abba Yusuf, sacked Bayero last year and reinstated Sanusi.
The development sparked a crisis in the ancient city, snowballing in court cases as Bayero refused to step down. He moved to a smaller palace where he enjoyed security protection, indicating he had federal support.
On Wednesday, Sanusi criticised the government’s image makers, saying they lacked pedigree.
“They don’t even have people with the pedigree to articulate their policies to the public. Let them explain to Nigerians why they are implementing these measures. I started out helping, but I’ve stopped,” he said.
He attributed the current economic struggles partly to years of poor governance. “What we’re experiencing today is, at least in part, the result of decades of irresponsible management. People warned about the consequences of our actions, but those in power ignored them,” he noted.
Sanusi hinted that he might address the economy in the future but emphasised that now was not the time.
Other prominent guests at the event were the NBA President, Afam Osigwe (SAN); Lagos State Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice, Mr Lawal Pedro (SAN), and human rights lawyer, Mr Femi Falana (SAN), amongst others.