Babatunji Wusu –
- Emir of Kano, Muhammad Sanusi II, has publicly declared he will no longer assist the government in explaining its economic reforms due to personal grievances with President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
- Sanusi criticized the government, stating that supporting its policies would aid a regime he no longer supports, despite past alliances.
- The government, through Minister of Information Mohammed Idris, downplayed Sanusi’s influence, asserting that Tinubu’s policies do not require his endorsement.
- Historical tensions, including Sanusi’s dethronement as Emir of Kano and ongoing legal battles, are believed to have fueled the strained relationship between Sanusi and Tinubu.
- Political dynamics in Kano, particularly the support of the current Emir Ado Bayero by Tinubu and Ganduje, have further complicated the situation.
A growing rift between President Bola Tinubu and the Emir of Kano, Muhammad Sanusi II, has emerged, marked by Sanusi’s open declaration that he will no longer assist the presidency in explaining its economic reforms. At a Lagos event, Sanusi cited personal grievances, stating that supporting the government would mean aiding policies he now opposes, despite their past relationship.
In response, Minister of Information Mohammed Idris downplayed Sanusi’s role in the national discourse, affirming that Tinubu’s administration does not require the Emir’s approval for its reforms. Bayo Onanuga, the Special Adviser to the President, also criticized Sanusi, accusing him of undermining national progress due to personal discontent.
This fallout between Sanusi and Tinubu has surprised many, given their history of collaboration. Sanusi, a former Central Bank Governor, had been a vocal critic of the Goodluck Jonathan administration, which aligned him with Tinubu and other political figures. The pair’s partnership was further solidified in 2014 when Tinubu and others backed Sanusi’s enthronement as Emir of Kano.
However, their alliance has since soured. Sanusi’s outspoken nature led to conflicts with Kano’s then-Governor Abdullahi Ganduje, resulting in his controversial dethronement in 2020. Behind this public fallout lies a deeper political struggle, with sources indicating that the presidency, in its support of Ganduje and his preferred Emir, Ado Bayero, has strategically distanced itself from Sanusi.
The ongoing legal battle over the Emirate of Kano has further strained relations, with reports suggesting that the presidency is backing Bayero’s position. The broader political context includes efforts to secure Kano State for the ruling party in the 2027 general election, with the removal of Sanusi seen as part of this strategy.
Both Sanusi and those close to him are aware that his influence, especially his ties to former Kano Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso, is viewed as a potential threat to the APC’s political goals. The complex web of legal, political, and personal factors has led to the current standoff, signaling that the rift between Sanusi and Tinubu may only deepen in the coming months.
