Emir of Kano Muhammadu Sanusi II yesterday warned President Muhammadu Buhari against praise singers and sycophants.
He said they were the real “enemies” of the government who could “destroy” his efforts.
Urging the President not to resist criticisms, Sanusi said: “I feel sorry for the people in government because they are surrounded by enemies.”
He said the President needed people who will tell him where he goes wrong.
Sanusi said he defied a directive by the Goodluck Jonathan administration to resign as Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) governor after he blew the whistle that $20 billion oil money was missing.
The Emir, who chaired the 10th Kehinde Sofola (SAN) memorial lecture in Lagos, said he was not surprised when he was suspended by former President Jonathan.
According to him, in blowing the whistle on the missing money, he was not afraid because he knew he was not going to remain CBN governor forever.
The emir said because he knew power was transient, he spoke the truth, no matter the consequences.
He said some were afraid to speak out against evil because they were afraid of losing their jobs.
“All the people they were afraid of years ago, where are they today? For those who are still in power, remember that it is transient,” he said.
He spoke of praise singers in his palace who always tell him he would rule “forever”, but that he would never consult them for advice on serious issues.
The emir said he refused to join those who abuse Jonathan after he had left office, adding that the best time to criticise a leader is when he is in power.
“If you want to be a true Nigerian, tell the present government where they’re going wrong,” he said.