‘Your support is not needed’ – FG replies Sanusi

JOHNBOSCO AGBAKWURU FROM VANGUARD

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, 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.

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.”