Nobel laureate Wole Soyinka has advised the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi not to seek election in 2027.
Speaking in an interview on Thursday, Soyinka said Obi is unfit to lead Nigeria.
“I hope for the sake of the nation that he doesn’t express interest in the next election because for me as a leader, if there was any proof that he was unfit to lead that country, it’s in the conduct which he encouraged among his followers.
“I know for a fact that he was in control of those forces,” Soyinka said.
The Nobel prize winner accused Obi of supporting the “divisive actions” of the Obidient Movement.
He said “one of these days, they [Obidients] would turn on them and teach them a lesson”.
Soyinka said, “It has to do with education. I didn’t read all these insults from Obidients but of course, some links were sent to me, especially when facts were being manufactured.
“I know that there is a relay mechanism, which is triggered into action by those who control what we call the trolls of the internet, and so my disgust and contempt.
“I know that there is a relay mechanism, which is triggered into action by those who control what we call the trolls of the internet, and so my disgust and contempt.
“I just went about my business, you know, because nobody, anybody on this earth who thinks they can stop me telling the truth as I see it needs to have his or her head examined. It’s as elementary as that.
“But it is depressing to see those who wanted to be political leaders encouraging that kind of action, that kind of attitude in the youth.
“And my mind went to the expression: ‘They don’t know what they’re doing’. Those who sow the wind will reap the whirlwind.
“One of these days, they would be astonished, they would turn on them and teach them a lesson.
“And so, my attitude was very blasé but it is for me a sad phenomenon, especially for those who want to lead a multi-textured (society) — different religions, different ethnic groups, different worldviews — who actually want to preside over such a group as one.
“It means that they have already declared themselves incompetent to lead such an entity.”
I TOTALLY DISAGREE WITH THE ELDER STATESMAN. IN POLITICS NO MORTAL IS PERFECT, EVEN IN ADVANCED CLIMES MISTAKES ARE INTERWOVEN IN THE GAME.
TINUBU’S CAMPAIGN WAS FRAUGHT WITH HORDES OF MISTAKES AND INCONSISTENCIES YET HE WON THE ELECTION.
I THINK I CAN SMELL SOME FORM OF ETHNICITY AT PLAY IN SOYINKA’S PONTIFICATIONS. PLEASE ALLOW PETER OBI TO BREATH.
100% spot on. Wondering also why the Nobel Laurette is not on the streets protesting the sufferings of the masses like he did against Jonathan in the past. How convenient to blame Peter Obi for actions of Obidients but look the other way as per the inflicted sufferings on the people by this APC led government.
You are very much on point. I think Soyinka is just trying to set the mood of the nation (especially that of the Yoruba’s) against the imminent nationwide acceptance of Peter Obi. Soyinka can not claim not to see the already obvious (Tinubu’s woeful performance beyond anyone’s expectations).
To now maintain that Peter Obi should not run or is unfit to run, because the young ones decide not to be as docile as the older generation but rather express their displeasure and haul criticisms as are due, is at the least an ethnicity-woven hypocrisy on the path of Soyinka.
He should focus his energy on addressing the one who stole power and has practically run the nation aground.
God bless you my beloved
This old man is gradually loosing his respect. This is ethnicity at play. Because people respect and hold you at high esteem, you think you can use the advantage to favour your the man of your ethnicity. Please Nigerians can read your handwriting on the wall.
I am still trying to wrap my head around why supposed intellectuals would leave the real matter, which is the fact that the supposed president is groping in darkness, and has cut in pieces the little remaining fibre of nationhood left in Nigerians, when “grapped it, snatched it and ran with it” and is rapidly continues to “reduce their purchasing power, slowing down the economy and widen the tax net”.
Soyinka is just trying to set the mood of the nation (especially that of the Yoruba’s) against the imminent nationwide acceptance of Peter Obi. Soyinka can not claim not to see the already obvious (Tinubu’s woeful performance beyond anyone’s expectations).
To now maintain that Peter Obi should not run or is unfit to run, because the young ones decide not to be as docile as the older generation but rather express their displeasure and haul criticisms as are due, is at the least an ethnicity-woven hypocrisy on the path of Soyinka.
He should focus his energy on addressing the one who stole power and has practically run the nation aground.
When they ask you what you’ll take for breakfast, you’ll remember Peter Obi. Why is your hair bushy and white? Peter Obi! The Obidients might be behaving irresponsibly and aggressively on social media; they can be excused, surely.
What cannot be excused is an elder statesman, hitherto highly respected; spewing infantile comments….. Do you think that by demeaning yourself, you’ll change the fact that he won the election convincingly?
Prof Wole soyinka should concentrate more on educational affairs and stop his ethnicity bigot. He doesn’t have what it takes to know a good politician as his judgement about this has always been biased based on preference.
Obi is the choice of the people so sir you don’t have any advise for him because if we ask you to produce a candidate you will definitely give us someone who is incompetent. Obi has shown in every ways that he is a good leader and someone who can champion Nigeria to the right place.
Remember in your days in UI you lived large , enjoyed education as it was but today what does the youth have? Just because of people like you education is considered scam because at the end of graduation there is nothing to hold on to.
Please allow who ever dim it fit to contest come out and stop telling us Nigerian youth who is fit, as the people you all appointed has already failed us.
Elders no longer honest
How time and tide changes everything. Definitely this is not the Wole Soyika I knew. That man that wrote “The man Died.”
It’s a shame that our revered Laureate is publicly displaying his bigotry. ‘the man died’.
I am very disappointed in you, our Nobel laureate. You have allowed tribalistic sentiments and bias to override your judgement. I used to hold you in high esteem, but you have shot your emself in the foot. So sad. Hope you are seeing and experiencing the results of your bias presently in our country. I will still stand for truth and progress of our beloved country, Nigeria!
For a man who claims to be educated and fit to serve rubbish to the people of Nigeria. You stand for a tribalist who wants nothing but your ass licking kinsmen to keep running the country to ground. Shame on you Soyinka and God almighty will punish you for lying, yes the whole world knows the truth. Peter obi is the solution to Nigeria problem not you nor your ingrate president Tinubu.
The old man age is disturbing him. Tinibu who was drug dealer was fit to rule isn’t it?Grandpa go and sit down, nobody ask you for your opinion.
Mr Soyinka led young people like himself against government back then in the university. He formed a notorious group back then and this is evil is still affecting our Universities till date. Wisdom is not about age. He was opposed Abacha vehemently. What did Abacha do that APC has not done. APC disobeys court orders flagrantly just like the military. The military dealt harshly with LABOUR UNIONS. APC is doing same. The true Soyinka is now unveiled. This is why i fear TIME. All fake NADECO members like Soyinka are now exposed by time. Most of them are just opportunists.
THE MAN DIED IN THE FACE OF A PROFESSOR WHO CALLS BLACK WHITE.
Soyinka should come to public space for a debate with people like us who knew the full story of June 12 and the struggles for freedom from military rule. When democrats are talking, Soyinka should zip it. He has sold his dignity for mere porridge. The same thing he did during his fake human right movements is what the youth are doing. He has no right to tell Obi not to contest. If i see a better candidate than Obi in next election i will vote for him. Soyinka has lost relevance. He was feudalistic against Abacha, so i am feudalistic about him too.