‘Sanusi Should Not Encourage Domestic Violence’ – Nigerians React To Emir’s Slap Instruction To Daughters

The 16th Emir of Kano, Muhammad Sanusi II, has been trending on the X platform over the advice to his daughters to stand against domestic violence, urging them to return any slap they receive from their husbands.

Speaking at the National Dialogue Conference on Gender-Based Violence (GBV) prevention from an Islamic perspective, Sanusi revealed alarming statistics, noting that domestic violence cases account for 45 percent of cases in nine Shari’a Courts in Kano over the past five years.

However, many Nigerians have disagreed with the monarch, including former lawmaker, Shehu Sani, who asserted that Sanusi should not be encouraging such kind of domestic violence.

@Shehu Sani wrote: “His Highness Sanusi should not be encouraging this kind of domestic violence in form of Slapping and Slapping back. Rather,Husbands and wives should learn to control themselves in moments of anger when the Devil temporarily visits their homes.When a husband is angry,he should walk out of the House and come back later.When a husband is upset and shouting loudly,the wife should just keep quiet and allow him to relieve all of his words.The sentence “I’m sorry” has a magical spirit that can evict the demon in the house.

“Two people shouting at each other is the source of many Divorce.If the man is becoming violent,the wife should protect herself by walking out to his family or her family home.The very day slapping and slapping back becomes the order of a family,the marriage is irreversibly destroyed even if the couple remains together.Most of the participants in those mass weddings are literally divorced wives who believe in this revengeful idea of slapping back their husbands.What is the possibility that when you slap your first husband you won’t slap the second one?.Did you grew up from a home where your father slapped your mother and your mother slapped him back? How did your parents resolved their problems? Should that not be your guide?

“It’s sad that you can now see thousands of Divorcees from the North in Abuja,who refused to be patient with their husbands.They are virtually living a life of glorified prostitution moving from one Honorable to another Honorable,giving them mostly false promises of multi million naira contracts or Supplies and sleeping with them.What they cannot tolerate from their husbands they end up tolerating it with the Honorables whom they cannot slap back under any circumstance.”

@afrotrax wrote: “I believe no one should have to endure violence in any form. While I understand the intent behind Emir Sanusi’s statement — possibly as a call for women to stand up for themselves — retaliation can escalate situations and create more harm. Instead, we should focus on promoting respect, equality, and effective legal protection for victims of domestic violence. Women should be empowered with knowledge, resources, and safe avenues to escape abuse rather than resorting to physical retaliation. Ending the cycle of violence starts with changing societal attitudes and strengthening support systems.”

@siazubuike wrote: “Dear daughters, don’t listen to Emir Sanusi. If your husband slaps you, report him to the right quarters so he can understand the full consequences of his action. Never slap back or endanger yourself to more potential harm to your body or be held liable if you cause his demise”

@jayneraphael_ wrote: “Noticing a lot of men crying under this post. You’d send her packing if she slapped you back, but didn’t think twice before hitting her? Meanwhile, Emir Sanusi is just putting some sense of accountability into their husbands”

@kpapkando wrote: “Slap for slap could escalate things to unintended damage. The importance of marrying within your class and being independent at play. I don’t understand why he’s discussing this openly, shouldn’t it be a private father-to-daughter and son-in-law conversation?”

@AbiodunOlorire wrote: “This will sound awkward but it has to be said Sanusi is an Emir not a Muslim Sheik cus some of you will say because he’s from the north and must be a Muslim and promoting vi00lence Let’s know what we’re doing ooo”

@anasuachara wrote: “An eye for an eye leaves everyone blind. Violence is never a response to violence. Dialogue is the supreme strategy in relationship. Where dialogue can not bring amicable settlement, then divorce should be pursued.”