- Sanusi: “I am not ready to share my policies with Tinubu”
- FG: “We don’t need your support, Tinubu’s policies are working“
By Abiola Olawale
The Federal Government and Emir of Kano, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi II are currently engaged in a fierce battle of words over ongoing economic reforms embarked upon by the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
This is as the Federal government blasted Sanusi, declaring that the administration of President B Tinubu does not need the stamp of approval of the monarch.
This comes after Sanusi, who spoke at the 21st Memorial Lecture of Chief Gani Fawehimi in Lagos, was quoted to have said that he would not offer any advice to Tinubu’s led federal government on how to tackle the economic challenges facing the country. He also added that he was not prepared to help the administration, stressing that the government doesn’t seem to know how to explain its policies to the Nigerian people.
In a viral video, Sanusi was quoted to have said: “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.”
He added: “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.
“But I will say this one thing though. 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.”
Reacting, in a statement the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, said it is worrying that a first-class monarch would make such comments on the economic situation of the country.
Idris also maintained that the government does not need the support of the Monarch as policies implemented by Tinubu are yielding positive results.
The statement reads in part: “The Federal Government notes the recent remarks by His Highness, Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II, regarding the economic reforms introduced under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, at a public event in Lagos. We note the emir’s acknowledgement of the noble initiatives which, he said; he could explain away but for his decision “not to help the government.
“First, we acknowledge that Sanusi, and indeed any Nigerian, has the inalienable right to express an opinion either in the form of commendation or criticism on how the government is being run. However, we find it amusing that a leader, more so one from an institution that ennobles forthrightness, fairness, and justice would publicly admit to shuffling off saying the truth because of personal interest hinged on imaginary antagonism.
“It is pertinent to state that Nigeria is at a pivotal juncture where bold and decisive actions are necessary to tackle entrenched economic challenges. This administration has implemented transformative reforms not because they are easy, but because they are essential for securing Nigeria’s long-term stability and growth, as Emir Sanusi had consistently advocated.
“The temporary pains currently experienced from these inevitable decisions, as Sanusi himself acknowledged, are a “necessary consequence of decades of irresponsible economic management” more than anything else.
“These reforms are already delivering measurable progress. The unification of exchange rates has bolstered investor confidence, which has contributed to increased foreign reserves and strengthened Nigeria’s ability to shield itself from external economic shocks.
“The removal of the fuel subsidy has freed up significant resources, allowing for greater investment in critical sectors such as infrastructure, education, and healthcare. Projections from respected institutions, including the World Bank, show an upward trajectory in Nigeria’s GDP, signalling that our economy is firmly on the path to recovery.”
The statement further added: “Additionally, by addressing inefficiencies, the country has reduced its debt service-to-revenue ratio, creating a more sustainable fiscal framework for future generations.
“It is deeply disappointing that reforms widely recognized as essential by global experts—including by Emir Sanusi II himself—are now being subtly condemned by him because of a shift in loyalty. His Highness, given his background in economics, has a unique responsibility to contribute constructively rather than undermine reforms aimed at collective progress because he feels estranged from his “friends” in government.”
