Sanusi’s Suspension Unconstitutional – Kwankwaso

GEJ-KwankwasoGov. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso of Kano State has faulted the suspension of the Governor of the Central Bank (CBN) Malam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, saying that there was an ulterior motive behind the action.

Kwankwaso, who is governor of Sanusi’s home state, stated that the suspension was a grand design to dislodge those he called ‘Kanawa’ (indigenes of Kano) from the economic and financial decision-making agencies of the Federal government in order to further impoverish and marginalize the state.

In a statement issued yesterday by his Director of Press and Public Relations, Halilu Ibrahim Dantiye, the governor also said it was sheer disrespect to the existing laws of the land and show of ingratitude that a person who has brought about sweeping positive changes that would have put the nation’s economy on the pedestal of growth would be treated unfairly.

He said Sanusi should rather be celebrated for exposing the rot and corruption in the NNPC. “A responsible government would have promptly investigated the allegations but they disappointingly refused to do so”, Kwankwaso lamented.

While describing the suspension as illegal, null and void, Gov. Kwankwaso noted that the CBN Act provides that the removal of CBN Governor “shall be supported by two-third majority of the Senate praying that he be so removed”.

“Clearly therefore law does not give the President the power to suspend the CBN Governor without recourse to the Senate. You cannot just trample on the law with impunity, without recourse to constitutional provisions”, he said.

The governor further drew comparism between the manner in which a former President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Ayo Salami was removed from office by President Jonathan and the treatment meted on Sanusi.

“In a similar guise of suspension, Justice Salami was removed by the President and was not reinstated despite his reinstatement by the NJC. They refused to do so until he attained the retirement age of 70 years”, he said.