By Tijjani Isa
Nlow that the Nigerien coupists have opened their doors for meaningful dialogue and constructive engagement between Nigeria on one hand and ECOWAS on the other, it is time to publish this opinion piece I crafted days ago.
It was initially titled: “Why is Sanusi Lamido Sanusi so meddlesome?” I rhetorically asked too “Must he be everywhere and visible at all times and at all places?
Before we go into the depth, let me state once again, I admired Sanusi when he was a public servant, specifically as governor of the Central Bank Nigeria, CBN.
I even supported him on this street until he clinched the revered karaga of the Dabo dynasty of Kano.
This admiration and support however waned over time when he lost the Kano throne by largely being too vocal, too visible and too often an embarrassment to the traditional institutions of the North, which by conventional wisdom, is seen and not heard except when it is absolutely necessary.
So far, Sanusi has refused to accept that he is no more Emir of Kano and I am doubtful if he can be reinstated if ever; because traditional rulers deposed are never returned; his grandfather Sanusi the 1st is an example.
It appears though he can’t get over the idea that he is no more emir but would nevertheless keep a show of it, regalia and all.
He is also into politics, which in reality caused him his karagar mulki in the first place. Now, did he really needed to be in Niamey on a solo mission, all of his own?
Well, in Niamey he was a week or so ago in the heat of the debacle following the coup d’etat that removed Mohammed Bazoum as president. His move was preemptive for the glory.
He arranged it all by himself because he knew he won’t be among the ulama invited by President Ahmed Bola Tinubu to Aso Rock upon their request to intervene in ECOWAS versus the Niger junta.
This is how he did it.
He sneaked in a phone call to the Sultan of Damagaran, who is our own version of the Sultan of Sokoto, to quickly arrange a meeting.
Out of respect for the Nigerien Sultan, whom the coupists desire his support to galvanize the Nigerien citizenry to its side, the coup leader accepted to grant them audience.
Does that not appear sneaky?
I am not suggesting he breached any diplomatic protocol but surely the rule book does not allow everyone to dabble in shuttle diplomacy at one’s pleasure.
There is also another angle to this annoying drama, similar to so many, he is often engaged in.
Some two years ago or there about there was a succession opening for who becomes the Khalifa of the Tijjaniyya Sect in West Africa.
Having lost the Kano throne, Sanusi needed to have his old glory back.
What did he do?
He launched himself in to the contest.
Who is his opponent, with better credentials? Sheikh Dahiru Usman Bauchi, who is regarded as the foremost Tijjaniyya Sect leader not only in Nigeria, Africa but the whole of the Muslim world.
Now, here is the catch: Sanusi knows he won’t be invited to Aso Rock to join the Ulama because he is not one, even when he pretends to be with his latest pastime at tafsir in his own masjid somewhere in Kano.
He also knows that he won’t shine wherever Dahiru Bauchi makes an appearance as per hierarchical ladder of the Tijjaniyya sect is concerned. That is what I mean when I say his meddlesomeness is galling.
Now back to the Niger coup deta’t and its current aftermath. Has his solo diplomatic shuttle made any difference? I don’t think so. It was fruitless, and further made him appear to indulge in glory chasing and a self belief that only him acknowledges.
The Sheikhs Bala Lau/Dahiru Bauchi team – the latter who could not make the trip to Niamey but represented by his son – achieved their mission for two reasons.
They went as a team and representatives of all the Islamic sects in Nigeria. They were also there on the authority of the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Sanusi on the other hand went solo.
Like I said earlier, I like Sanusi. The way I do is however different from the way he perceives himself.
No doubt he is a brilliant fellow, an intellectual of no mean repute. Still young with great future and potential, imbued with A-class experience in accounting and finance especially in his chosen field of economics.
These are the areas he should concentrate on instead of being Jack of All Trade and master of none.
I believe the misadventure to Niamey should awaken him to the fact he needs to channel his energy to his professional calling as a economist. He can, for example create his own bank to employ thousands of youths, move the economy and engender financial inclusion especially if tilted towards sharia compliant modules.
Others, less endowed, who have never been executive directors and, or group managing directors of first generation banks in Nigeria, or even been central bank governors have created banking and financial services institutions that are making imprints across the country.
Why won’t he follow suit instead of chasing glory in borrowed regalia?
I hope someone close enough to him would wisely sound him up that he is better off being an economist than a king without a throne.
