The Federal Government early morning of Thursday told the Emir of Kano, His Highness, Muhammadu Sanusi II, that it does not need his stamp of approval of what it described as laudable policies of the government.
The government also told the
Emir, who was a former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, to rise
above personal interests and partisan undertones and prioritize the greater
good of Nigerians.
These admonitions among others
were contained in a statement issued by the Minister of Information and
National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, in reaction to the recent comments made
by the first-class monarch on the economic situation of the country.
The Emir at the 21st Memorial
Lecture of Chief Gani Fawehimi in Lagos, reportedly said that he will not offer
any advice to President Bola Tinubu’s led federal government on how to tackle
the economic challenges facing the country.
He 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.
“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.
“Now, is everything being done
correctly? No. When I am ready to talk about the economy, I will.”
Reacting to the comments credited
to the Emir, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, in a
statement titled: “We don’t need Sanusi’s stamp of approval for our laudable
policies,” expressed disappointment at the Emir’s alleged negative comments on
the reforms of Tinubu’s administration because of his alleged “shift in
loyalty.”
The statement read: “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 form of commendation or criticism on how the government is
being ran. 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.
“Additionally, by addressing
inefficiencies, the country has reduced its debt service-to-revenue ratio,
creating a more sustainable fiscal framework for future generations.”
Continuing, the statement said:
“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 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 feel estranged from his “friends” in government.
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