The Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, on Wednesday, criticised the handling of the economy by President Bola Tinubu’s administration. He asserted that things are not being done correctly.
He also posited that the government lacked persons of pedigree to articulate its policies for Nigerians to understand.
Sanusi, however, said that unlike in the past, when he offered economic advice to the federal government, he would not do the same for Tinubu’s administration because the government had not acted like a friend to him.
The former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria spoke in Lagos at the 21st Memorial Lecture of Chief Gani Fawehinmi organised by the Nigerian Bar Association, Ikeja branch.
He chaired the lecture titled “Bretton Woods and the African Economies: Can Nigerians Survive Another Structural Adjustment Programme?”
The Tinubu-led Federal Government has faced intense criticism over its decision to remove fuel subsidy and float the naira, leading to mounting inflation and widespread economic hardship.
Although the Federal Government had not handled the economy well, Sanusi remarked, “Is everything being done correctly? No. When I’m ready to discuss the economy, I will.”
Elaborating on his decision on his position not to offer economic advice to the government, Sanusi said, “I can provide insights into the challenges we face, how they were predictable and even avoidable. But I won’t. I’ve chosen not to comment on the economy, reforms, or anything that could benefit this government. They are my friends, but if they don’t act like friends, I won’t act like one either.”
He attributed the current economic struggles partly to years of poor governance. “What we’re experiencing today is, at least in part, the result of decades of irresponsible management. People warned about the consequences of our actions, but those in power ignored them,” he noted.
Sanusi hinted that he might address the economy in the future but emphasised that now was not the time.
