The 14th Emir of Kano, His Highness Muhammadu Sanusi II, has lamented the moral decline among Nigeria’s political class, stating that many in government today were not properly brought up, hence their willingness to engage in corruption without regard for legacy or posterity.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today, Sanusi said Nigerian politics is now dominated by individuals who have no values to protect and who are not interested in leaving behind a good name.
“Most of the people in government today are not well brought up. They do not have a name or legacy to protect. All they care about is money, not how history will remember them,” Sanusi said.
He emphasized the urgent need for moral re-evaluation, warning that money has become the prevailing value system in the country.
“We now reward looters of public funds with appointments and Senate seats. This must stop,” he stated.
Sanusi noted that corruption is not just an individual issue, but a systemic one that requires a total societal reorientation, beginning with the family unit.
“One man cannot solve the corruption problem. We must return to strong family values where children are raised with integrity and respect for public service,” he added.
On the public service, the former Central Bank Governor argued that contrary to popular belief, politicians are the ones who corrupt civil servants, not the other way around.
“Some civil servants still uphold integrity. When General Murtala Muhammed dismissed over 10,000 civil servants for corruption, not a single person was sacked from the Ministry of External Affairs where my father worked,” he recalled.
He called for the protection of civil servants, noting that many operate under immense pressure from their political superiors.
“Civil servants are under ministers. They’re not always strong enough to resist unlawful directives. We must protect those who try to do the right thing,” Sanusi stressed.
On the economy, the Emir criticised decades of poor policy decisions, which he said have led Nigeria into its current state of crisis.
“Nigeria spent decades pursuing policies that were clearly detrimental to our development. That’s why we are where we are today,” he concluded.
