Former President, Goodluck Jonathan, stirred reactions on Tuesday after referring to the 16th Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, as “my good friend” during a public event.
PrimeTimes Nigeria reports that Jonathan made the remark at the presentation of My Life of Duty and Allegiance, the autobiography of former Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon (retd.).
The former president, who chaired the occasion, paused briefly after the hall erupted in laughter following the comment.
Jonathan and Sanusi had a strained relationship during Sanusi’s tenure as Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria.
The disagreement followed Sanusi’s allegation in 2014 that the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) failed to remit about $20bn into the Federation Account.
Sanusi made the claim while appearing before the Senate Committee on Finance on February 13, 2014.
The allegation triggered political controversy and reportedly worsened relations between the then-President and the CBN governor.
Jonathan later suspended Sanusi from office over allegations of misconduct and financial recklessness.
Months after his suspension, Sanusi emerged as the Emir of Kano following the death of Emir Ado Bayero in 2014.
He was appointed by the Kano State Government under the administration of former Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso.