Emir Sanusi’s grandstanding, by Kola Amzat

Recently, while Emir Sanusi was speaking at the 21st memorial lecture of Chief Gani Fawehinmi in Lagos, he declared that he would remain in the background and not offer economic advice to the Tinubu administration because “they have not behaved like friends”.
He continued- “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 continued in his tirade “They’re my friends. If they don’t behave like friends, I don’t behave like a friend.
“So, I watch them being stewed, and they don’t even have people with credibility who can come and explain what they’re doing. But I’m not going to help.”
Even though the Emir appreciated the appropriateness and the relevance of key policies reform of the government, he overstepped his boundary, as well as crossed the line in the speech that has not only ridiculed him, but, also portrays him as a leader with feeble, myopic and immature mind.
As regrettable, unpatriotic, inflammatory and egoistic his diverse pronouncements at the event were, the Emir only spoke as someone who have been completely abandoned in the lurch.
Through his speeches, the Emir cuts the picture of a deeply frustrated figure in quest of relevance in the scheme of things, but, who has now been by-passed.
In the first place, why should federal government seek his advice, in whatever form, on the economy?
He is now first class traditional ruler overseeing perhaps the biggest Emirate in the country. This enough is a humongous task that shouldn’t allow him to look elsewhere other than to concentrate on administering this Emirate purposefully, dutifully and religiously.
If he’s desperately expecting the federal government to revert to him on their diverse policies because he’s an Economist, it does suggest that he’s not committed to that onerous task of providing purposeful leadership in Kano city, the most populated city in Nigeria and the entire Emirates.
What also suggest to him that as an Economist, he’s better that all egg-heads assemble by the president to oversee the gamut of the economy?
And, maybe he wants to drop the very rich regalia of the exalted throne of Emir of Kano to take up an appointment in Tinubu presidency?
There is no iota of doubt that Emir Sanusi has been long thoroughly indulged by the successive nation leadership.
And, only God knows why!
While, we’re together in First Bank, although our boss, in the Credit Risk Management Division, his tenure was never salutary, as he escaped the hammer of the then Board of Directors who had resolved to oust him on account of financial recklessness bothering on several trips abroad.
Moving from First Bank CEO to CBN as governor, the entire economy, particularly the capital market greatly suffered on account of continual reckless and thoughtless pronouncements that were continually causing imbalance and serious pressure on the entire economy, as well as the country as a whole.
In-fact, we stock brokers always had our tails in our leg whenever he’s invited to event to make pronouncement, because we knew then he would cause tsunami.
One of those reckless pronouncements was his wild allegation of Goodluck Jonathan’s government mismanagement of $20 billion oil revenue that eventually led to his dismissal as Apex Bank Governor.
He continued the tirades even during his first reign as Emir of Kano, continually making provocative pronouncements about Ganduje administration and even federal government policies.
The Emir is acknowledged that he’s till date enjoyed the mercy, favour and compassion to still be one the key figures, as well as one of movers and shakers of events in Nigeria,
Quite a number of Nigerians who have not committed 10% of blunder he had committed have long been part of history.
His speech during that event also gave him out as a Nigerian who doesn’t have any modicum of respect for the authority, as he was rude, arrogant and pompous in his comment concerning the exalted office of Commander-in-Chief, Armed Forces, Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Meanwhile, the reforms he was speaking ill about, have been widely acknowledged by the global experts.
It’s also important to mention to the likes of Emir Sanusi these reforms are already delivering substantial progress.
The unification of exchange rates has boosted investor confidence, which has contributed to positively impacted on foreign reserves and strengthened Nigeria’s ability to ensure immunity itself from external economic shocks..
In the same vein, the removal of the fuel subsidy has freed up huge resources, allowing for greater investment in critical sectors such as infrastructures, education, ICT, and healthcare.
Finally, it’s important for Emir Sanusi to rise above personal animosity and primordial interests in the overall interest of the nation, as well as cultivating habit to focus in administering his Emirates..
Kola AMZAT (FCA, FCIB)
Lagos based Financial & Management Consultants,
09077509348.