Dethronement: Mandela’s widow expresses solidarity with Emir Sanusi

- Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II is getting solidarity outside the shores of Nigeria after his controversial dethronement

- The widow of late Nelson Mandela, former President of South Africa, Graca Machel, has expressed solidarity with Emir Sanusi

- Sanusi, an accomplished banker, is a member of the Graca Machel Trust’s International Board of Advisors

The widow of late Nelson Mandela, former President of South Africa, Graca Machel, has expressed solidarity with the dethroned Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II.

In a letter she personally signed and addressed to Emir Sanusi on Tuesday, March 10, Machel said she was saddened to learn of his dethronement.

She described Emir Sanusi as a bold inspiration for leaders and offered to help him “during this challenging time.”

Part of the statement read: “I am sending you this message of solidarity in the hopes that it provides you, in some small measure, with reassurance and a degree of comfort that you are not alone in your valiant struggles to confront corruption and the social ills burdening Northern Nigeria.

“Your influential voice as a man, as a traditional leader, and as a religious authority challenging the status quo is sorely needed not only in Nigeria but throughout Africa.

“Your Highness, we hold you in very high regard and count on your knowledge, expertise, experience and wisdom to continue to lift the continent to higher heights. We proudly count you among the Graca Machel Trust’s International Board of Advisors and stand with you in your courageous efforts to speak truth to power.

“Your convictions are powerful ones that ring loudly in the hearts and minds of all those who value human dignity and equality and the causes you are fighting so steadfastly for cannot be silenced.

“Rest assured that critics of progressive thinking and action find themselves on the wrong side of history. Please remain strong and resilient. We are praying for your safety and your freedom.”

Emir Sanusi's popularity has soared since his dethronement by the Kano state government.

His legacies and contributions to societal upliftment have helped in garnering support for him in the last few days.

Sanusi, an accomplished banker, is a member of the Graca Machel Trust’s International Board of Advisors and many other similar organisations globally.

His penchant for challenging the status quo and speaking truth to power irked the establishment in northern Nigeria.

After his dethronement, prominent and ordinary Nigerians have rallied around him in solidarity and offering him solace.

Already, Nigeria's business community, the primary constituency of Sanusi has identified with him in his trying time.

Investment banking guru, Mr Atedo Peterside, has said he will not attend a forum organised by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) because he is displeased with the dethronement of Sanusi as Emir of Kano.

Peterside, the founder of Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc, made his stance known in a letter sent to the governor of CBN, Mr Godwin Emefiele.

Peterside who also sits on the board of Flour Mills of Nigeria, Nigerian Breweries and Unilever Nigeria, said he cannot hide his displeasure at Sanusi’s deposition and eventual banishment from Kano state.

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Meanwhile, as Kano sent packing the revered Emir, Kaduna state has decided to tap from his wealth of experience.

Governor Nasir el-Rufai of Kaduna has appointed the dethroned Emir as the vice-chairman of the Kaduna Investment Promotion Agency.

The governor expressed a strong belief in the experience and potential of the dethroned emir to deliver positively in his new capacity.

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