‘Emir of Kano can happily give up his throne,’ Daughter tells critics

Shahida, daughter of the

Shahida stated this at the inaugural lecture of the Bring Back Our Girls (BBOG) group in commemoration of the three-year abduction of the Chibok schoolgirls on Friday, April 14, 2017.

Emir Sanusi recently came under attacks for declaring northern Nigeria as the poorest part of the country.

Shahida represented her father at the event.

“My father has always been a part of one controversy or the other and it’s normal for us. We are not scared anymore,” Shahida said.

“I know that he has always wanted to be the emir of Kano but to him, if it comes between what is right, what his conscience tells him and choosing the throne, he would happily give up the throne.

“My father is not afraid of giving up his throne if it stands in the way of speaking the truth. Those who think that my father would keep quiet because he wants to hold on to his throne, I think they don’t know my father.

ALSO READ: ‘Nigerian leaders only care about their families,’ Sanusi says

“And honestly, he has been a source of inspiration and pride. He never fails to fight. He fights for progress, liberty, justice and equality. Those who think they know my father should know that he will never be silenced by blackmail and intimidation.

“He lost his position once as the governor of the and I remember his quote that you can suspend a man but you can never suspend the truth. I know he does not mind being the most unpopular emir so long he speaks the truth,” she added.

In a video message to the group, Sanusi said those who consider his as a 'problem' will have a bigger problem dealing with his children.

“Those who are opposed to my views or think I am a problem have a much bigger problem to deal with in the next generation of the Sanusis. They are far more radical, they are far more progressive, they far more committed and they are far more fearless,” the traditional ruler said.

The Emir maintained that anyone who challenges the system would face blackmail and intimidation

“Anyone who challenges a system or fights for the voiceless must be ready for a serious backlash. Character assassination, slander, blackmail and intimidation are the normal tools employed by those who defend and profit from the status quo,” he added.

Sanusi further called on the BBOG to "transform itself from a group defined by the narrow focus on an incident, to one that addresses the broader social reality of African women, and particularly women in Nigeria, especially the North."

ALSO READ: ‘President Buhari surrounded by enemies,’ Emir of Kano says

Also speaking at the event, Prof Grace Alele-Williams, Nigeria’s first professor of Mathematics Education noted that the abduction of the Chibok girls has made Nigeria to a "laughing stock" among other nations.

Prof. Williams who wondered if the Chibok girls’ abduction was an ‘agenda of the government’ added that Nigeria would not regain her place as the giant of Africa unless the life of every citizen begins to matter.

In her remarks, convener of the BBOG group, Oby Ezekwesili emphasised that despite the odds, the group would continue to demand for the rescue of the remaining 195 Chibok girls and others who are still in captivity.