Professor Wole Soyinka, a Nobel laureate, has said that he will not be speaking out about Bola Tinubu’s administration’s performance just yet. This disclosure was made in the course of an interview that a team from The NEWS magazine did in honor of Soyinka’s 90th birthday. The group set out to fulfill Soyinka’s pledge to provide feedback on the administration’s performance following its first year in office.
During his visit to Lagos late last year, Soyinka had promised to speak on President Tinubu’s administration.CONTINUE FULL READING>>>>>
This promise was highlighted during the interview, where the team from The NEWS magazine reminded him of his commitment. However, Soyinka responded that he is aware many people are eagerly waiting for his comments, but he plans to remain quiet for now.
Soyinka mentioned that his decision to stay silent is partly to thwart those who are anticipating his critique for their own purposes. He recounted an incident from his writings in “Baiting Igbophobia,” where he narrated how some individuals had instructed someone to attack him verbally without even understanding his statements. This, he implied, exemplifies the kind of hostility he often faces.
Furthermore, Soyinka reflected on past experiences where he chose to withhold public statements. He referenced his decision to quietly cut his American Green Card without immediate public disclosure as an example of his approach. He stressed that his silence is deliberate and intended to frustrate those who are waiting to pounce on his words.
He said: “So, they are there, salivating, waiting for Wole Soyinka to speak. After cutting my American Green Card, I did not announce it for several months, the same way I intend to keep quiet for now and not make any public statement. As far as I am concerned, they can go and commit suicide, wherever they are, or come and jump in my throat as they have been directed. I know those who are waiting. I want to disappoint them.”CONTINUE FULL READING>>>>>
