Friends at war: How Tinubu, Sanusi’s once cozy relationship unravelled
The relationship between President Bola Tinubu and the Emir of Kano, Muhammad Sanusi II, has soured, shifting from alliance to animosity. At the core of the fallout are political tensions over the Kano Emirate, legal battles and conflicting views on governance, ISMAEEL UTHMAN and HUSSAINI IBRAHIM write
There is a cold war between President Bola Tinubu and the Emir of Kano, Muhammad Sanusi II.
The strained relationship became public when the Emir declared on Wednesday that he would not assist the Presidency in explaining its economic policies.
In a swift response, the Minister of Information, Mohammed Idris, stated that Tinubu did not need Sanusi’s help.
Sanusi’s seemingly open withdrawal of support for Tinubu’s administration surprised many Nigerians who believed the two had enjoyed a cordial relationship.
Although Sanusi later claimed his statement was taken out of context, the Federal Government’s sharp response mirrored the hostility between the former allies.
Tinubu and Sanusi’s bond was strengthened after the latter was sacked by President Goodluck Jonathan as Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria on October 30, 2013.
Sanusi was removed after alleging that $20bn in oil proceeds was unaccounted for, alongside other accusations of financial impropriety against the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited.
During his tenure at the CBN, Sanusi’s criticism of the NNPCL and other actions of the Jonathan administration became a rallying point for the opposition, led by Tinubu.
Politically, Sanusi became a bride for the opposition and a significant critic of the then-government.
Sanusi, who was abroad when his suspension was announced, was welcomed back at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, by the opposition leaders.
When the Kano Emirate stool became vacant, Tinubu, along with other prominent Nigerians, supported Sanusi’s bid to ascend the throne.
The then-governor of Kano State, Rabiu Kwankwaso, eventually enthroned him, as a symbolic rebuke to Jonathan’s administration and as a way to restore Sanusi’s dignity.
However, despite being a traditional ruler, Sanusi continued to advocate good governance, particularly in northern Nigeria.
His criticisms of Governor Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano State eventually led to his dethronement on March 9, 2020. Following his removal, he was banished to Nasarawa State.
Six hours later, the Kano State Government announced Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero as Sanusi’s successor.
After his dethronement, Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, visited Sanusi in Nasarawa State and later accompanied him to the Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport in Abuja in the same car.
El-Rufai also appointed Sanusi as Vice Chairman of the Kaduna Investment Promotion Agency and Chancellor of the Kaduna State University.
In August 2020, Sanusi described El-Rufai as “a friend to count on” during a programme at the Sir Kashim Ibrahim House, Kaduna.
El-Rufai, who has distanced himself from the Tinubu administration, has remained a close ally of Sanusi.
Political analysts believe that El-Rufai’s stance on the APC-led Federal Government might have influenced Sanusi’s attitude toward the Tinubu’s administration.
In June 2023, during a meeting with Tinubu, Sanusi had commended the President for his decisive approach to Nigeria’s economic challenges.
“We’ve been friends since his first term as the Governor of Lagos State when I was a banker. I have not seen him since the election, so I came to congratulate him formally. But I also want to thank him for the steps he has taken to put the country’s economy on course. Many of these are issues we’ve been discussing, such as the removal of subsidies that harm the fiscal system and exchange rate distortions. I’m happy he addressed them within his first days in office,” Sanusi had said at the time.
However, speaking at the 12th Memorial Lecture of Chief Gani Fawehinmi in Lagos, Sanusi argued that while some of Tinubu’s policies seemed beneficial on paper, they failed to address the immediate needs of Nigerians grappling with inflation and unemployment.
“I have chosen not to speak about the economy or explain these reforms because if I do, it would help this government, and I don’t want to help the government. They are my friends, but if they don’t behave like friends, I won’t behave like one either. I watch them being stewed. They don’t even have credible people to explain their policies, but I’m not going to help,” Sanusi remarked.
In response, the government’s information minister, Idris, urged Sanusi to put national interest above personal grievances.
He said, “We do not need His Highness Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II’s stamp of approval for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s transformative policies. It is disappointing that a leader—particularly one from an institution rooted in fairness and justice—would admit to withholding the truth out of personal interest.
“These policies, such as the unification of exchange rates and subsidy removal, are delivering measurable progress. They have boosted investor confidence, increased foreign reserves, and freed resources for critical investments in infrastructure, education, and healthcare. Projections indicate an upward trajectory in GDP, signaling that Nigeria’s economy is on the path to recovery.”
The Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga also responded, saying, “It is deeply disappointing that reforms widely recognized as essential by global experts—including by Emir Sanusi II himself—are now being subtly condemned by him because of shift in loyalty.
“His Highness, given his background in economics, has a unique responsibility to contribute constructively rather than undermine reforms aimed at collective progress because he feels estranged from his “friends” in government
“We urge the Emir to rise above personal interests and partisan undertones and prioritize the greater good of Nigerians.”
However, sources privy to the strained relationship between Tinubu and Sanusi revealed that the legal battle over the Kano emirate throne significantly contributed to their fallout.
According to the sources, the APC National Chairman, Abdullahi Ganduje, who dethroned Sanusi, supported Ado Bayero’s return to the throne and allegedly mobilised federal resources to achieve this goal.
A Senior Advocate of Nigeria disclosed that the presidency did not back Sanusi in his ongoing legal battle to retain the throne, but instead favoured Bayero.
The SAN added that the presidency’s long-term strategy involved splitting Kano State ahead of the 2027 general election, which required ensuring Sanusi’s permanent removal from the throne.
“The presidency is not supporting Sanusi in the ongoing legal battle. They are supporting Ado Bayero, who was installed by Ganduje, and have been using the Federal High Court against the emir. However, the Supreme Court has ruled that a Federal High Court lacks jurisdiction over a matter involving a state’s traditional ruler.
“Sanusi is also aware that the presidency intends to split Kano into two ahead of the 2027 general elections. For instance, some people refer to Sanusi as the Emir of Kano, while others refer to Bayero as the Emir of Abuja. The strained relationship between Tinubu and Sanusi stems from the presidency’s move to remove him from the throne,” the SAN revealed.
Another source, an aide to a former vice president, corroborated the SAN’s claims, noting that the presidency was uncomfortable with Sanusi remaining on the throne.
He said, “The primary reason for the rift between Sanusi and Tinubu is that the presidency is not supporting the former CBN governor in his ongoing legal battle to retain the throne. Credible reports indicate that the presidency, in its bid to secure Kano in the forthcoming election, is backing the coup to remove Sanusi and reinstate Bayero.
“Given the circumstances surrounding his dethronement and his eventual return, Sanusi is viewed as a loyalist of former Kano State Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso, making him a threat to the APC government that removed him.
“Also, there are credible reports that Ado Bayero met with one of the three prominent traditional rulers in the South-West, who facilitated his meeting with Tinubu. Following this, the Kano Federal High Court issued a ruling against Sanusi in a matter outside its jurisdiction. In such a situation, the emir cannot pretend to be friends with those plotting his downfall.”
A prominent Kano indigene, speaking to Sunday PUNCH on condition of anonymity, stated that Ganduje and the presidency disapproved of the overwhelming support Sanusi enjoys and his allegiance to Kwankwaso.
“Apart from the court case, they believe the widespread support for the emir among Kano residents could translate into a loss of votes for the APC in the coming elections. Their move to remove him and install their preferred candidate is purely political, and the emir is fully aware,” the source said.
Commenting on Sanusi’s statement, a lecturer at the Bayero University Kano, Prof. Kamilu Fagge, said while the emir had the right to his opinion, he should have communicated his concerns privately to government officials.
Fagge said, “It’s surprising that Sanusi has shifted his stance, especially since he initially supported the President’s decisions. However, I don’t think the recent court ruling influenced his withdrawal of support. The matter remains unresolved in court.”
However, a public affairs analyst, Mustapha Kwaru, argued that Sanusi’s statement mirrored public sentiments about the Tinubu administration.
“Sanusi’s critique reflects a broader issue of disconnect between government policies and the realities faced by ordinary Nigerians. While the removal of subsidies and the unification of exchange rates may have long-term benefits, their immediate impact on inflation, unemployment, and purchasing power has left many in dire straits,” Kwaru said.
He acknowledged the legitimacy of Sanusi’s concerns but questioned his approach.
“As a former CBN governor and a revered traditional leader, Sanusi wields considerable influence. While his criticism is valid, it could have been delivered in a more collaborative manner. Publicly withdrawing support may seem confrontational and risks further polarising an already divided public,” Kwaru added.
Kwaru also emphasised the need for reconciliation within the emirate, stating, “The Kano emirship crisis reflects deeper political interference in traditional institutions. While legal battles may address these disputes, they cannot repair the fractures in public trust and unity within the emirate.”
