By Eric Elezuo

Sarakin Kano, Khalifa Muhammadu Sanusi II, has said Nigeria has been bedeviled with lousy leaders who lack the requisite capacity and competence to deliver and transform the country, saying that the trend has hindered the country’s growth on all fronts.

Sanusi made the assertion, when he spoke at the second edition of Kano International Poetry Festival (KAPFEST), held in Kano on Saturday, noting that the country has not been fortunate with quality leaders for a long time.

Stating that good governance is key to salvaging the country, Sanusi added, “And that’s the truth. I mean, in most parts of this country, you look at people who are leading you and you say, oh God, is this really the person? How did we end up here? You see it every day on the newspapers.”

The traditional ruler said while other countries are exploring technology, artificial intelligence, climate change and other serious issues, Nigerian leaders are still preoccupied with antiquated debates around ethnicity and religion.

“You see it in the news. You see what happens in the legislature. You see the kind of debates that we are having, the kind of arguments that we have, the kind of time we waste on issues that are totally unimportant, the pettiness. We are still talking about Yoruba or Igbo or Hausa, Northern or Christian, you know, that is, we are still mired in that debate. We are still in conversations that we had in the 1960s. You look at other countries, you look at other parts of the world, people are discussing climate change, discussing artificial intelligence,” the traditional ruler further noted.

He however, observed that subsidising fuel was never sustainable, noting that the country would have been bankrupt by now if President Bola Tinubu hadn’t removed it.

“If you look at the billions and billions that were spent on subsidies, if that money had been spent on refineries, I have nothing against subsidies. If you are subsidising production, I said it very clearly, my objection is the subsidy on consumption because we’re keeping refineries in Europe open. We’re giving jobs to refiners.

“And if we had taken 2012, we would not be where we are today. Now, people say to me, why aren’t you talking? I say, what am I to say? This is exactly what I said would happen because beyond a point, government revenue will not be enough to pay the subsidy. You have to borrow to pay the subsidy,” Sanusi concluded.

Sanusi, who bagged a fresh PhD degree from a London University only last week, has been on the forefront of raising national issues, and tackling as well as criticizing inanities in government. He is noted as introducing sweeping reforms in the banking sector during his tenure as Central Bank Governor prior to 2014 when he was removed by President Goodluck Jonathan.

Even with his tussle for the emirship seat in Kano with Emir Ado Bayero, Khalifa Sanusi has not ceased to bring to the front burner major issues of national discourse, touted as veritable tools of lifting the nation from its present doldrums.

Suspended Kogi Central Senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduagha, has threatened court action against the Clerk of the National Assembly, Kamorudeen Ogunlana, if she is prevented from resuming plenary on Monday.

Natasha’s threat was conveyed through a letter dated September 10 and signed by her counsel, Chief Michael Numa (SAN)

She vowed to seek legal redress against any attempt by the National Assembly to disregard a court order regarding her resumption.

“Take notice that failure to comply by Monday, 15th September 2025, will leave us with no alternative but to initiate proceedings against you personally and in your official capacity,” the letter read.

In the letter, Natasha’s counsel stated that the National Assembly’s refusal to obey a court order was a violation of the Constitution and the Code of Conduct for Public Officers.

She vowed to initiate contempt charges and disciplinary measures, adding that the clerk would be held responsible for instigating a breach of peace.

“We strongly advise that you reconsider your untenable stance and comply with the Constitution and extant judicial orders,” the letter added.

Human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, has condenmed the leadership of the Senate under Senator Godswill Akpabio.

Falana accused Akpabio and the Nigerian government of disobeying Court judgments and downplaying the rule of law.

He also charged President Bola AhmedTinubu to suspend his vacation and return to Nigeria to prevent the country from collapsing into a state of anarchy.

In a statement he signed, Falana said the situation where Court judgments are disregarded by some influential people threatens adherence to the rule of law in Nigeria.

“President Bola Tinubu should prevent the state from collapsing by suspending his vacation and halt the inexorable descent to anarchy and chaos in the country,” he said.

He charged the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, to draw up measures to prevent such continuous court disobedience.

The human rights lawyer also described the Senate under the leadership of Senate President Godswill Akpabio as the most notorious.

Falana said the Senate under Akpabio has disregarded court verdicts.

He lamented that under Akpabio’s leadership, the Senate has treated Court verdicts with disdain.

Falana said, “Judgments of courts are disobeyed by governments and powerful individuals.

“The most notorious institution is the Senate under the leadership of Senator Godswill Akpabio.”