The Federal Government has declared that it did not need the Emir of Kano Sanusi Lamido Sanusi’s stamp of approval or optimism for its laudable policies.
It insisted that its economic reforms were on course, urging Sanusi to tell the truth about the government’s bold economic progress despite his “shift in loyalty”.
Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, replied Sanusi, who, at a function in Lagos on Wednesday, wrote off the Tinubu Administration.
The minister said there was no point for Sanusi to engage in divisive rhetoric because he “feels estranged from his friends in government.”
Idris said: “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’.
“First, we acknowledge that Sanusi, and indeed any Nigerian, has the inalienable right to express an opinion either in the form of commendation or criticism on how the government is being run.
“However, we find it amusing that a leader, more so one from an institution that ennobles forthrightness, fairness, and justice, would publicly admit to shuffling off saying the truth because of personal interest hinged on imaginary antagonism.”
The minister said the nation is at a pivotal stage of transformative reforms, noting that some of the policies of the government were in line with what Sanusi had advocated.