‘Emir Sanusi Is With Us’ – El-Rufai’s Family Rejects Kperogi’s Claim of Neglect

The family of former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai has rejected claims that Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II has abandoned or neglected the former governor amid his current difficulties.

The family’s position follows a recent article by journalist and academic Farooq Kperogi, who questioned whether Sanusi had stood by El-Rufai during his current troubles.

Kperogi’s article followed a September 23 reflection by El-Rufai in which the former governor discussed the silence of some friends, associates and family members during his difficulties. El-Rufai did not identify anyone specifically in the statement.

Kperogi interpreted the comments as possibly referring to Sanusi, pointing to the longstanding relationship between the two men and El-Rufai’s support for Sanusi after his removal as Emir of Kano in 2020.

However, the El-Rufai family has rejected the suggestion that Sanusi has abandoned the former governor, maintaining that the Emir remains connected to the family.

The family said the public perception of Sanusi’s position does not reflect the relationship and interactions that have continued away from public attention.

The disagreement comes against the background of the close relationship between El-Rufai and Sanusi over the years.

After Sanusi was dethroned in March 2020, El-Rufai appointed him to positions in Kaduna State and later travelled to Nasarawa State to meet him following his confinement. Sanusi subsequently visited El-Rufai in Kaduna and publicly acknowledged the former governor’s support and friendship.

Kperogi argued in his latest article that Sanusi’s current position is different from El-Rufai’s circumstances in 2020, noting that the Emir does not exercise executive political authority and operates within Kano’s traditional and political environment.

El-Rufai, meanwhile, has said he does not expect people he previously supported to reciprocate that support, stressing that individuals are free to make their own choices during his present difficulties.

The controversy has nevertheless renewed public discussion about the relationship between the former governor and the Emir, particularly because of the support El-Rufai offered Sanusi during the 2020 dethronement crisis.

The family’s response indicates that it does not accept the interpretation that Sanusi has abandoned El-Rufai, maintaining that the Emir remains with the family despite the circumstances surrounding the former governor.