Muhammad Sanusi II, the 16th Emir of Kano, has expressed dissatisfaction with reactions to his recent comments on President Bola Tinubu’s policies, accusing officials of sensationalizing and misrepresenting his remarks.
The controversy began last week when Sanusi, speaking at a memorial lecture in honour of the late human rights lawyer, Chief Gani Fawehinmi, shared his decision not to provide further advice on economic challenges unless the government acted in a manner he deemed as friendly.
“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.
In response, the Federal Government, through a statement by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, criticized Sanusi’s remarks as deeply disappointing, asserting that Tinubu’s policies did not require the Emir’s approval.
Sanusi countered this, claiming his speech was taken out of context and reduced to a single ‘’sensationalized'' paragraph, overshadowing the broader nuances of his message.
“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,” he stated.
Sanusi reiterated his support for Tinubu’s reforms and acknowledged the sacrifices Nigerians endure due to years of economic mismanagement.