Muhammadu Sanusi II, former Emir of Kano, says Nigeria is in
a bigger mess than it was in 2015.
According to THISDAY, Sanusi spoke on Thursday at the
Akinjide Adeosun Foundation (AAF), leadership colloquium and awards, which was
held in Lagos state.
The former emir expressed concern over the myriad of
challenges, ranging from insecurity, inflation rate, poverty, among other
issues, bedevelling the country.
Sanusi said Nigeria thought they had it bad in 2015 but
between then and now, things have become worse.
“This is the only
oil-producing country that is grieving at the moment when oil prices have gone
up as a result of the Russia/Ukraine war. Our total revenue is not able to
service our debt,” he said.
“And if anybody does not understand that we are in a
complete mess, we are. We were in a deep hole in 2015. And between 2015 and
now, we have been digging ourselves into a deeper hole.
“We thought we had a big problem in 2015. 2015 is nothing,
compared to what will happen in 2023. We have terrorism, we have banditry, we
have inflation, we have an unstable exchange rate, and the worst thing is that
those in leadership actually think we are going to thank them when they leave
office.
“That we are going to
appreciate them, there is no change. There is no sense of urgency. If you are
running a company and your sales revenue cannot pay interest, you know you’re
bankrupt.
“When the total revenue of the federal government cannot
service debt? And we are smiling. These are the kinds of questions we need to
ask. And the reality is that there are so many Nigerians, who, given the
opportunity will do well but they simply cannot contest in that space.”
Sanusi blamed Nigerian leaders for the crisis, saying they
lack vision for the country and are self-centred.
He said Nigerian leaders are more concerned about winning
elections and gaining political offices than working to better the lives of
citizens.
“What is our vision
for Nigeria? Do we have a vision of one country? Do we have a vision of one
united country, that lives peacefully with itself – diverse, multicultural,
multi-religious but one? And these things are not self-contradictory. Where did
we get it wrong? he asked.
“Leaders after leaders, most of those who have ruled did not
have a vision for a united Nigeria. How would you like to be remembered after
eight years as a President, after eight years as a governor, eight years as a
minister, eight years as Governor of CBN?
“How would you like history to remember you? They have not
thought about it. The vast majority of those in office have a vision that is
limited to the next election. It is to win. And when you’ve won, you’ve reached
a destination, not a journey.”
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