President Buhari Speaks Up On Sanusi, Releases Indicting Statement

President Muhammadu Buhari has on Thursday, August 25, reacted to a statement by the Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, which predicted that his administration would end up like that of former President, Goodluck Jonathan, if it failed to retrace its steps on some policies.

According to the President, instead of castigating him in public, traditional rulers should assist his government in moving the nation forward, by advising him in writing.

The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III, who disclosed this to journalists shortly after meeting with the President at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Thursday said, “‎The President listened attentively, and he has asked me to pass the information to other traditional rulers in my domain, to assist the government by giving advice, because he is a good listener, but that such advice should be put in writing, so that he can then relate it to the problems affecting Nigeria.”

Oba Adeyemi speaking further, said, “As a Nigerian and one of the topmost traditional rulers in the country, over the time, I sent a memorandum to the President, which he acknowledged, and he asked me to come and endorse those things I have written.

“I think it is time for me to use the proper channel to reach the President for suggestions and advice.

“Where he deserves commendation, I should also do that, especially as it concerns the multi-dimensional problems Nigeria is facing; the Avengers and the bombing of oil installations, MEND, Boko Haram insurgency in the North-East.

“One major diplomatic point the President scored recently, was the visit of the US Secretary of State, John Kerry.

“America does not usually send top officers for such visits if they have not used certain parameters to gauge the country’s performance.

“I have met with the President and offered some suggestions. We are losing huge resources to the activities of the Niger Delta Avengers.

“Coming close to that, is the infiltration of Lagos by militants, especially in Ikorodu, where in the last three weeks, 10 landlords were massacred.

“The Federal Government has since sent forces there to wipe them out. Normalcy has since returned to Ikorodu and Arepo areas.

“If they had successfully spread their activities to the South-West, there would have been more destruction. Lagos is the economic heartbeat of the nation.”‎ Oba Adeyemi noted.

Meanwhile, the Presidency on Thursday, said President Buhari would not fight the Emir of Kano, over his criticism of the present administration.

In an interview with the Punch, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, said criticism such as the one made by the first-class traditional ruler, was healthy for democracy.

He said: “This government will not fight people for criticizing the present administration, led by President Buhari. This kind of criticism is healthy for our democracy. One cannot get better without being criticized. I can assure you that this government is listening.”