ABUJA — Emir of Kano Muhammadu Sanusi II said traditional rulers remain vital to Nigeria’s governance ecosystem and do not need explicit constitutional wording before advising elected leaders on national issues.
Speaking on Morning Brief on Channels Television, Sanusi argued that his authority to counsel presidents and governors comes from his role as a community leader, saying traditional institutions are key to nation-building and good governance.
Sanusi also used the appearance to press for broader political inclusion of women, calling for stronger representation in elective and policy spaces as part of building a more balanced democratic culture.
On social policy, he condemned domestic violence and rejected cultural justifications for wife beating, saying abuse is rooted in unequal power relations and weak protection for vulnerable groups rather than culture itself.
He added that women, children, persons with disabilities and the poor are often the first victims where institutions fail, and urged leaders to strengthen legal and social safeguards.
The remarks land amid wider debates in Nigeria about the formal role of traditional institutions in modern governance—especially whether constitutional clarification is needed or whether customary legitimacy and public influence already provide that space in practice. Sanusi’s position clearly favors the latter.
