‘My Comment Twisted’, Emir Sanusi II Clarifies Remarks on Tinubu’s Policies Amid Backlash

The 16th Emir of Kano, Muhammad Sanusi II, has responded to the controversy surrounding his recent comments on President Bola Tinubu’s economic reforms, which sparked widespread public reactions.

In a statement made earlier in the week, the monarch addressed the misrepresentation and sensationalisation of his remarks. Sanusi II made the comments during an event in Lagos held in honor of the late Chief Gani Fawehinmi, a human rights activist and legal luminary.

The controversy began when Sanusi II stated that he had chosen not to help the government by explaining the benefits of the administration’s reforms. “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 was quoted as saying.

He also criticized the government’s communication strategies, saying, “They don’t even have people with credibility who can come and explain what they’re doing. But I’m not going to help.” These remarks triggered public backlash, with Minister of Information and National Orientation, Idris Mohammed, accusing Sanusi II of prioritising personal interests over national duty.

In response, Sanusi II clarified that his words had been taken out of context and sensationalized by the media. He explained that his speech was intended to support the government’s reforms, even though he acknowledged the sacrifices Nigerians were enduring due to decades of economic mismanagement.

“They took one paragraph out of context and sensationalized it,” Sanusi II said. He continued, “Nothing about the nuanced support given to the government. That there are arguments supporting the reforms. That we are paying a price for decades of mismanagement before Tinubu. That there is light at the end of the tunnel. That we should all pray and support the system and talk about the good things happening.”

Sanusi II emphasized that his speech was not an attack on the government but was instead a counter-narrative to the critical voices in the room. He also explained that his reference to “friends” in government was a coded message directed at specific individuals.

Despite the backlash, Sanusi II expressed his hope that those in government would eventually recognize his intentions, noting that “This too shall come to pass.”

The clarification signals Sanusi II’s desire to move past the controversy and refocus the discussion on the need for collective support for the government’s reform efforts, despite the challenges Nigerians are facing.