Nobel laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka has provided clarifications on how Nigeria can achieve a revolution in the process of resolving its political challenges.
He also described the ‘Obidients,’ supporters of Labour Party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, as the most repulsive set of people he has witnessed in any political arena.
Soyinka also condemned the fine of N5million imposed on Channels TV recently by the National Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) for allegedly violating the NBC code in a programme with the Labour Party vice-presidential candidate, Datti Baba-Ahmed, saying he watched the programme and the valiant efforts of the interviewer to ensure fair hearing.
Soyinka made this known in a statement released on Friday following his clash with Peter Obi’s supporters known as Obidients.
The statement partly reads: ‘Project NIGERIA, I must confess, has become near terminally soul-searing. Do I still believe in it? I am no longer certain but – first, we must rid ourselves of the tyranny of the ignorant and the opportunism of time servers. In any case, there is not much else to engage one on a foundation of ownership stakes. There is of course, always the possibility of a Revolution, with a clarity of purpose and acceptance of all attendant risks, including costly errors. Revolutions are not however based on the impetus of speculative power entitlement. No matter, until that moment, the structures that ensure just and equitable cohabitation must be protected from partisan appropriation – be it from material inducement, fake news, or verbal terrorism – the last being the contribution of one who is positioned to assume co-leadership of the nation, no less. Revolution is not about lining up behind the nearest available symbol. When a symbol does emerge, however, we are still obliged to examine every aspect of what is fortuitously on offer, and continue to guard our freedoms every inch of the way.’
Read Also: 2023: Real Reason I Refused To Endorse Anyone – Soyinka
He said the instigating contest – Nigerian Democracy 2023 – has witnessed much that is innovative – largely in the retrogressive vein.
‘Easily overlooked however are those missives of violence directed against dissenting voices, real or suspect. Such, for instance, were the virulent attacks and threats to the musician Seun Kuti, his family, and iconic music Shrine. His crime consisted of nothing more than declaring the name ‘Obidient’ derogatory to his sense of civic dignity and activist history. Such beginnings – and instances are numerous – have culminated in the open intimidation of the Court of Last Resort, even before proceedings have begun. By the way, I do agree with Seun Kuti; ‘Obidients’ is one of the most repulsive, off-putting concoctions I ever encountered in any political arena. Some love it, however, and this is what freedom is about. Choice. Taste. Free emotions. By contrast, I have no quarrel with ‘Yes Daddy’. Roman Catholics are used to saying ‘Yes, Father’. Secularists say ‘Enh, Baba’. The context and content are what matters, and lies – where established – raise bothersome issues such as Integrity Deficiency.’
Soyinka pointed out that the fine of N5million imposed on Channels TV was inappropriate. He argued that to sustain the penalty is to give joy to others he did not name who turn the Internet into a septic tank for depositing their waste, yet feel that others should be silenced.
Africa Today News, New York recalls that NBC slammed Channels Television with a fine of N5million for violating the NBC code in a live interview of the running mate of the Labour Party Vice presidential candidate, Dr Datti Baba-Ahmed, by the anchor of Politics Today, Seun Okibaloye, on Wednesday, March 22 where Dr Baba-Ahmed had said it will be unconstitutional to swear in an elected president on May 29, 2023, because of election irregularities.
The Nobel laureate made the assertion while stating his position on what he described as fascism and a climate of fear being generated by political actors whom he said have refused to entertain corrective criticism.