The Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, has emphasised that traditional rulers are essential pillars of nation-building and sound leadership.
He said, “Traditional institutions are key to good governance”, in a call for stronger nation-building efforts.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Morning Brief on Wednesday, Emir Sanusi said he doesn’t need the constitution to advise the president or a state governor on issues affecting the nation.
According to him, he has the authority to provide counsel to the constituted authorities from the people he leads.
Sanusi said, “Do I need to be told to advise the President? 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. I don’t need the Constitution to tell the governor that I think this is what we should be doing. I get that authority from being a leader of the people.
“I know there are people who think that we need to have something in the Constitution. What is in the constitution that traditional rulers are there to advise us? We respect that you have executive authority of the governor; times have moved.”
