A close associate of the Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, has debunked claims that the monarch made any statement regarding the ongoing renovation of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos.
Speaking with Arewa PUNCH on Thursday, the associate, Muhammad Dallatu, described the viral report as false and misleading, insisting that the Emir never spoke publicly on the matter.
“His Royal Highness did not at any time comment on the Murtala Muhammed International Airport or its renovation. The statement currently circulating on social media is completely fake and has no connection to the Emir or his palace,” he said.
The denial follows the circulation of a lengthy commentary on social media, widely attributed to Sanusi, criticising the federal government’s handling of the Lagos airport upgrade.
The viral message argued that while the Lagos airport — as a major international gateway and commercial hub — indeed requires a serious facelift, the process should be transparent, accountable, and inclusive of other regions.
The statement questioned the source of funding for the renovation, alleging that the project is not captured in the national budget and is being financed through an “opaque” fund lacking legislative oversight.
It further raised concerns over the absence of a competitive bidding process and warned that the project, like many in the past, risks becoming another white elephant.
In addition, the statement criticised what it described as an “almost insensitive concentration” of federal projects in Lagos, suggesting that other key cities like Abuja, Kano, and Port Harcourt have been neglected in the broader infrastructural plan.
It maintained that national development should be evenly spread, stressing that “it can not be all or nothing” and urging the government to adopt a sequenced, regionally balanced approach.
While the tone and depth of the commentary bore striking semblance to past interventions by Muhammadu Sanusi II, especially during his time as Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Dallatu maintained that the Emir was not the author of the trending remarks.
“The public must be careful not to fall for narratives pushed on social media without verification,” he said.
“His Highness is a national figure who has always been deliberate and transparent whenever he chooses to comment on national issues. This is not one of them.”
Dallatu warned against attempts to misrepresent the Emir’s position on sensitive national matters, adding that such mischief would not be tolerated.
“People must stop dragging His Highness into every national controversy. If he has something to say, he will speak directly to Nigerians through proper and verified channels,” he added.
