[dropcap]T[/dropcap]his Emir Sanusi Lamido’s marriage to a supposedly 18-year-old girl seems to be breaking the Internet today.
Debates and arguments on social media and raging hypocrisies too.
I’m not really bothered about His Highness’ proclivities but I’m more amused by the APC social media activists who are somehow lost or trying to justify Emir’s choice of an eighteen year old and getting insulted too by fellow activists. It’s quite funny though.
Last year, before the elections, Sanusi was the darling of the APC and those who were forced to look up to him as a role model of sorts. He was given platitudes by many; ‘ intelligent’, ‘modern hero’, ‘ change agent’ ‘ the most moral and upright in the North’ and all other titles.
How come that today, just by marrying an 18-year-old, those same people are on the war path, calling him all sorts of names like Paedophile and child snatcher? Really?
The Nigerian constitution has already justified His Highness’ action. 18 years is the age of consent in Nigeria and he’s ‘gone done it’ as the Yanks would say. Whatever he did surreptitiously before his new bride turned 18 does not matter anymore.
He’s 54, she’s 18. That’s how it goes.
Oshiomhole is 65, his bride 24. That’s how it goes.
Abubakar Audu, former Governor of Kogi State and now Gubernatorial candidate, is almost 70 and his new bride too is in her early 20s. That’s how it goes.
Let’s not even talk about Senator Ahmed Yerima.
My point? There’s something in politics which makes these guys run to the youthful arms of younger ladies to recharge dying batteries.
Perhaps only the initiated know what it is.
As for me, I can only wish His Highness’ the best of his choice.
Ranka Dede.
Charles Novia is an award-winning filmmaker. He is founder of November Productions and November Records. Connect with him on Facebook.
The opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author.
