Nigeria Needs Shift From Politics Of Domination To Service – Emir Sanusi

The 16th Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, has called for a fundamental transformation of Nigeria’s political culture, urging leaders to abandon the politics of domination in favour of service, accountability and national unity.

Speaking at the 2026 Power Shift Africa Conference in Kano, with the theme “Revisiting the Past, Reconciliation and Rebuilding the Future”, the Emir, represented by the Danmadamin Kano, Prof. Abubakar Aliyu Sanusi, said the country was at a critical point in its history and required honest reflection to overcome its numerous challenges.

He argued that the most important power shift Nigeria needed was not merely the rotation of political offices among regions or ethnic groups but a leadership transition driven by competence, compassion and service to the people”

“The most important power shift Nigeria requires today is not merely between regions, ethnic groups or political parties. It is the shift from the politics of domination to the politics of service,” he said.

The monarch lamented that Nigeria had failed to build on its past, saying that economic policies that did not enhance citizens’ welfare were “inherently useless”.

According to him, the country has continued to grapple with poverty, inflation, insecurity, weak institutions and injustice, insisting that sustainable national development can only thrive where justice prevails and institutions function effectively.

He urged Nigerians to embrace reconciliation, saying no society could progress while burdened by unresolved grievances and mutual distrust.

Also speaking, political activist Umma Abdullahi Getso blamed political leaders for deepening ethnic and religious divisions, urging Nigerians to embrace peace and patriotism rather than identity politics.

The traditional leader of the Igbo community in Kano, Igwe Ikechukwu Oliver, stressed the need for national unity, urging Nigerians to support capable leaders regardless of ethnicity or religion.

Earlier, Executive Director of Power Shift Africa, Nonso Nnamani, said the conference was organised to promote national reconciliation and build a shared vision for Nigeria.

According to himNigeria’s’s greatest challenge is not leadership or infrastructure but the deep divisions that political actors exploit for personal gain.

He said the conference aimed to initiate conversations that would foster unity, define a national vision and lay the foundation for rebuilding the country for future generations.