Sanusi: Nigeria living on extra time… will be in deeper hole in 2023

Nigeria is living on extra time and whoever wins the 2023 presidential election will face more challenging situation than what President Muhammadu Buhari met in 2015 when he assumed office, former Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, has said.

He stated this in Abeokuta, the Ogun capital, at a reception to mark the 80th birthday of Tayo Sowunmi, Babanla Adinni of Egbaland on Monday.

He sympathised with those jostling to take over power in 2023, saying the new set of leaders must be ready to make difficult decisions.

He also urged Nigerians to vote for only those  competent and honest to handle the herculean

Sanusi said, “To be honest, this country, we are living on extra time. In 2015, we were in a deep hole. In 2023, we will be in an even deeper hole than in 2015.

“All those people who are struggling to be president, I hope they understand that the problems that they are going to face are multiples of the problems that were faced in 2015.

“All of us have to be ready for difficult decisions and if they are taken, we are all going to pay for them.”

Sanusi, who is the leader of the Tijaniyya sect, also spoke on the roles of traditional rulers, saying, “The solution is not for all of us to jump into politics. This country needs good politicians; it needs imams, pastors and bishops who are going to stand up and remind them (politicians) of the fear of God.

“It needs technocrats who are going to critique their policies. It needs traditional rulers who are going to speak as the conscience of the people. Everyone has a role to play and we should try to play that role to the best of our ability.

“If we all go into politics, who will hold the politicians responsible? Who is going to tell them when they are going wrong?

“I think it is because often, people don’t understand the role we play as traditional rulers that they think we should go and be governors or president. I think that the role I play can be more important than that of the president. It is different.”