The Emir of Kano, Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusi II, has disclosed that one of his daughters wants to replace him as Nigeria’s second most powerful Muslim leader.
The controversial traditional ruler made this known in a recent interview with Financial Times in his Kano Palace.
Since leaving his position as Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria to take up the Kano Emirate’s mantle of leadership, the outspoken Sanusi has been the subject of many controversies, most of which stem from his progressive stance.
In one of such controversies, the Emir was the subject of intense criticism from the conservative north for sending one of his daughters, Shahida, to represent him at an event.
Speaking with the paper, he said, “My daughter wants to be the next emir of Kano, and she’s disappointed I’ve not yet appointed a woman to the Kano emirate council.”
However, the father of many daughters did not state which one of them was coveting the position.
Asked if it would be possible to have a female Emir, he said, “It’s got to be incremental, without necessarily turning the society on its head.”
Sanusi noted that perhaps his granddaughter or great-granddaughter could take the position.
“That is the greatest challenge for us. How are you a custodian of a legacy, of a history, of a culture? And how do you also serve as a guide as that culture navigates its way in a modern world?” he added.