The Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, has criticized the greed of Nigerian politicians, attributing it to the pervasive decline in societal values.
Speaking at the 2024 Annual Conference of the Nkata Ndi Inyom Igbo (NNII) in Abuja on Tuesday, Sanusi urged the country’s leaders to prioritize integrity and service over material wealth.
Addressing a gathering that included politicians from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), All Progressives Congress (APC), and All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Sanusi emphasized that a person’s true identity lies in their character and actions, not their titles or possessions.
“It is not your title or wealth that defines you, but your integrity and what you do for others,” Sanusi said. “Whether you’re a senator, governor, or emir, your true identity is shaped by whether you are honest or dishonest, kind or cruel, trustworthy or a traitor.”
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He criticized the fixation on material possessions, noting that wealth often does not translate to a meaningful legacy. “If you have a big house, a car, or even an aeroplane, those are things you own, not who you are,” he added.
Sanusi described public office as a divine privilege and a test of how leaders use their power to serve the people.
“God gives some people the opportunity to lead as a test. It’s not because He loves them more than others. Leaders should use their positions to improve lives, not to amass wealth for themselves,” he stressed.
He warned that wealth hoarded in Swiss accounts or material possessions left behind often lead to family disputes or wasted lives, with descendants squandering resources.
Sanusi decried the lack of ideological direction in Nigerian politics, where politicians frequently switch parties without clear principles.
“Today you’re in PDP, tomorrow in APC, and the next day in APGA. What do the parties even stand for?” he questioned.
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The emir urged Nigerians to shift their focus to values such as honesty, kindness, and service. “We must address the moral issues in our society.
It is not about ethnicity or religion. Whether you’re Hausa, Igbo, or Yoruba, a thief is still a thief,” he said.
The NNII conference, themed “Driving Transformation Through Value Reorientation, Inclusive Leadership, and Sustainability,” was organized by former Minister of Women Affairs, Iyom Josephine Anenih.
It drew prominent attendees, including Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Benjamin Kalu and former Senate President Anyim Pius Anyim.
Sanusi concluded his address by urging leaders to embrace the principle of “enough,” emphasizing the importance of using resources to impact human lives positively.
“We must remember that the most important legacy is not wealth but how many lives we’ve touched and transformed,” he said.