Nobel laureate Wole Soyinka has publicly criticized Peter Obi, the Labour Party's presidential candidate in Nigeria's 2023 election, claiming that Obi is "unfit" to lead the country. Soyinka's criticism extends to accusations that Obi is behind the online trolls who have directed insults at him.
This isn't the first time Soyinka has been vocal about his opinions on political figures and issues in Nigeria. His comments often generate significant attention and debate, reflecting the polarized nature of Nigerian politics. Soyinka's standing as a respected writer and intellectual gives weight to his statements, but they also invite scrutiny and opposition, particularly from supporters of the figures he critiques.
When asked what he thinks about the Obidient movement, he said;
“It has to do with education. I didn’t read all these (insults by Obidient Movement) but of course, some links were sent to me, especially when facts were ‘being manufactured’.
“When I read these things, I was disgusted. There’s no other word for it. I really was disgusted and I know that it was orchestrated.
“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 and it is for me a sad phenomenon, especially for those who want to lead 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.”
Speaking further, Soyinka added;
“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.”'
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