The Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, has stirred political conversation after suggesting that the administration of President Bola Tinubu often treats public comments and suggestions as attacks.
Sanusi made the remarks at the Oxford Global Think Tank conference, where he also questioned the government’s communication strategy and said it lacked effective spokespersons.
Interestingly, the traditional ruler did not dismiss the administration’s economic reforms. He acknowledged that the government deserved credit for some of its economic decisions and pointed to reported economic growth as one of the positive developments.
His comments have reopened a familiar national debate: should Nigerians be able to criticise government policies without being treated as political enemies?
At a time when the country is dealing with economic pressure and preparations for the 2027 elections, Sanusi’s intervention is likely to attract attention from both government supporters and critics.
For many Nigerians, the bigger question is whether the government can create more room for constructive criticism while explaining its policies more effectively.
