Fatshimetrie – Former President Goodluck Jonathan and former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Muhammad Sanusi II, found themselves at odds during a recent public exchange. The discussion revolved around the circumstances of Sanusi’s departure from his position at the apex bank.
Sanusi, now the Emir of Kano, had previously claimed in a book co-authored with former Minister of Finance, Shamsudeen Usman, that he was sacked by Jonathan for exposing an alleged $49.8 billion missing from government funds during his tenure. However, Jonathan refuted this claim, asserting that Sanusi was actually suspended due to financial irregularities flagged by the Financial Reporting Council (FRC) regarding the CBN’s expenditures. Jonathan emphasized that had Sanusi’s tenure not ended, he could have been reinstated.
During the heated exchange, Jonathan expressed skepticism about the veracity of the $49.8 billion claim. He pointed out that the country’s total budget at the time was $31.6 billion, questioning how such a substantial sum could go missing without significant repercussions. Jonathan highlighted discrepancies in Sanusi’s varying estimates of the missing funds and referred to PriceWaterhouseCoopers’ investigation, which found no evidence of the alleged embezzlement. Additionally, the former President cited the findings of the Senate Committee on Finance, which declared the claims unfounded.
In response to Jonathan’s assertion that he was suspended and not sacked, Emir Sanusi maintained that he was, in fact, constructively dismissed by the former President. Despite the disagreement, Sanusi expressed respect for Jonathan and clarified that he harbored no resentment.
The discussion further delved into the frustrations surrounding the Dangote Refinery in Nigeria, with Sanusi lamenting the hindrances it faced due to vested interests. He criticized the prevalent rent-seeking culture within the Nigerian political sphere, emphasizing the need to shift focus towards national progress rather than personal gain.
Moreover, the event marked the unveiling of the Shamsuddeen Usman Foundation (SUF), dedicated to promoting education and Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Nigeria. Sanusi commended Usman’s integrity as a public official and highlighted the foundation’s commitment to advancing education and technological innovation.
In conclusion, the clash between Jonathan and Sanusi underscores the complexities of Nigeria’s political and economic landscape. As the country navigates challenges and strives for progress, it remains essential to address issues of transparency, accountability, and national development for the collective benefit of its citizens.