Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi, has declared that he will no longer offer his insights on the nation’s economy or reforms, citing that doing so would only benefit the current Federal Government.
The Emir, a former Central Bank of Nigeria governor, made his stance clear during the Chief Gani Fawehinmi Memorial Lecture in Lagos on Wednesday.
The event, organized by the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Ikeja Branch, was themed “Bretton Woods and the African Economies: Can Nigerians Survive Another Structural Adjustment Programme?”
Sanusi explained his decision, saying, “I have decided not to speak about the economy or the reforms, nor to explain anything regarding them. If I explained, it would only benefit this government, and I don’t want to aid this government.”
He further emphasized that despite his past support for the government, he no longer felt inclined to help, stating, “They are my friends, but if they fail to act like friends, I will not act like one.”
The Emir’s comments come amid dissatisfaction with the Federal Government’s actions, particularly following his controversial return to the Kano throne after being deposed by the previous governor, Abdullahi Ganduje.
His return is currently being contested in court by the deposed 15th Emir, Aminu Ado Bayero, with claims of government favoritism towards Bayero, though the government has denied these accusations.
Sanusi also said that Nigeria’s current economic struggles were a result of decades of poor economic management.
“What we are going through today is at least in part, a necessary consequence of decades of irresponsible economic management,” he said, adding that earlier warnings had gone unheeded.
While he refrained from commenting further on economic policies, Sanusi focused on honoring the late Chief Gani Fawehinmi, whose legacy was central to the event.
He called for a return to core values of integrity, reminding Nigerians to reflect on their personal conduct.
“We need to revisit our values,” he said, highlighting the importance of integrity in all aspects of life.
He also emphasized that one’s actions, rather than ethnicity or religion, define a person’s identity, stating, “If you are a thief, you are a thief, whether you are Yoruba, Igbo, Hausa, Muslim, Christian, a lawyer, or otherwise.”
In addition to Emir Sanusi’s speech, other notable figures spoke at the event. Minister of Aviation Festus Keyamo, represented by Henry Agbebire of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, praised Fawehinmi’s enduring legacy as a champion of human rights and justice.
“His legacy inspires us all with its courage, resilience, and unwavering commitment to justice for the common man,” Keyamo said.
He expressed hope that the discussions at the event would provide solutions to Nigeria’s economic challenges.
The lecture was attended by prominent personalities such as the President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Afam Osigwe, Lagos State Attorney General Lawal Pedro, and human rights activist Femi Falana.
