Nobel laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, says he is not yet ready to publicly assess the administration of President Bola Tinubu, citing repeated misrepresentation of his comments.
In an interview with BBC News Yoruba published on Facebook on Tuesday, the world-renowned writer and activist said he was still taking his time and would express his perception of the Tinubu government when he deems it appropriate.
“I have been asked that question by several people,” Soyinka, speaking in Yoruba language, told his interviewer. “I don’t want to answer because it seems as if there’s nothing one says that won’t be twisted, and I’m tired of that.”
“So, I want to take my time. When it’s time, I will write my view on that,” he said.
An influential public figure and opinion moulder, Soyinka is known for his criticism of successive Nigerian governments, including the administrations of former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo, Goodluck Jonathan and the late Muhammadu Buhari.
He has, however, yet to publicly voice his assessment of the Tinubu’s government, over two years into the administration.
In 2019, Soyinka took a swipe at Buhari’s government, saying it had failed Nigerians in its handling of the country’s security challenges.
In 2021, he also told Kaftan TV, “I don’t want to talk about Muhammadu Buhari’s administration. I think it is best for my sanity just to avoid that overall question. I can take bits and pieces of Nigeria’s present predicament, but I think for one’s sense of balance, one must forget the existence of the Buhari administration.”
The PUNCH