FORMER President Goodluck Jonathan stirred reactions on Tuesday after referring to the 16th Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, as “my good friend” during a public event.
News Point Nigeria reports that Jonathan made the remark at the public presentation of My Life of Duty and Allegiance, the autobiography of former military Head of State, Yakubu Gowon.
The comment immediately triggered laughter across the hall, forcing the former president, who chaired the occasion, to briefly pause his welcome remarks.
Jonathan and Sanusi have a history marked by political tension dating back to Sanusi’s tenure as Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
Their relationship reportedly deteriorated following allegations that generated widespread national controversy at the time.
On February 13, 2014, while appearing before the Senate Committee on Finance, Sanusi alleged that the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) failed to remit about $20 billion into the federation account.
The allegation sparked intense political debate across the country and was widely believed to have strained relations between Jonathan and the then CBN governor.
Consequently, Jonathan suspended Sanusi from office as CBN governor, citing allegations of misconduct and financial recklessness.
Months after his suspension from the apex bank, Sanusi emerged as the Emir of Kano following the death of the late Ado Bayero in 2014.
Sanusi’s appointment as emir was approved by the Kano State government under the administration of former governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, marking his return to national prominence.
