The Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, has said traditional rulers remain critical pillars of nation-building and sound leadership, insisting that they do not require constitutional backing to advise elected leaders on national issues.
![](https://thenigerialawyer.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/TheNigerialawyer-WhatsApp-Channel1.jpg")
Speaking on Channels Television’s Morning Brief on Wednesday, Sanusi described traditional institutions as central to good governance and said his authority to counsel presidents and governors derives from the people he leads, not from constitutional provisions.
“Do I need the Constitution to tell me that if I think there is something the country needs, I should go to the President and say, ‘Mr President, I think this is wrong?’ I don’t need the Constitution,” he said.
Sanusi added that while governors and presidents hold executive authority, traditional rulers have a responsibility to speak on issues affecting their people, stressing that leadership goes beyond ceremonial roles.
During the interview, the former Central Bank governor also called for greater inclusion of women in governance, arguing that meaningful nation-building cannot occur without increased female representation in elected offices.
He strongly condemned domestic violence, rejecting cultural justifications for abuse and stating that women are Nigerian citizens entitled to full protection under the law.
“You cannot beat a woman because your culture says you can beat her. She’s a Nigerian citizen entitled to protection,” Sanusi said, noting that violence against women is rooted in power imbalance rather than culture.
According to him, abuse affects the most vulnerable in society, including women, children, persons with disabilities, and the poor, and reflects broader failures in governance and social protection.
Sanusi also spoke against child marriage, particularly in rural communities, explaining that poverty, lack of schools, unsafe roads, and absence of social services often force families into difficult decisions.
He criticised urban narratives that blame culture while ignoring rural realities, stressing that government failure to provide education and basic infrastructure plays a major role in sustaining harmful practices.
“Between the ages of 11 and 18, what arrangements have you made for her?” he asked, noting that many girls complete primary school with no access to secondary education or skills training.
While acknowledging the complexity of cultural and social issues, Sanusi insisted that Nigeria must uphold clear moral and legal standards, declaring violence against women and children unacceptable under any circumstance.
He described many acts blamed on tradition as deliberate abuses of power, calling them a “culture of oppression” that must be dismantled to protect vulnerable citizens and strengthen the nation.
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE FOR LAWYERS: A COMPREHENSIVE GUIDE
Reimagine your practice with the power of AI “...this is the only Nigerian book I know of on the topic.” — Ohio Books Ltd
Authored by Ben Ijeoma Adigwe, Esq., ACIArb (UK), LL.M, Dip. in Artificial Intelligence, Director, Delta State Ministry of Justice, Asaba, Nigeria.
Bonus:
Get a FREE eBook titled “How to Use the AI in Legalpedia and Law Pavilion” with every purchase.
How to Order: 📞 Call, Text, or WhatsApp: 08034917063 | 07055285878 📧 Email: benadigwe1@gmail.com 🌐 Website: www.benadigwe.com
Ebook Version: Access directly online at: https://selar.com/prv626
________________________________________________________________________ The Law And Practice Of Redundancy In Nigeria: A Practitioner’s Guide, Authored By A Labour & Employment Law Expert Bimbo Atilola
_______________________________________________________________________
