Nigerian Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka, has given his reasons for denouncing a recent statement made by the vice-presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Datti Baba-Ahmed. Baba-Ahmed had, during an interview on the 22nd of March on Channels Television, called on President Muhammadu Buhari and the Chief Justice not to swear in Bola Tinubu, who had been declared the president-elect by INEC. Baba-Ahmed insisted that such an action would be unconstitutional.
Soyinka spoke out against the statement, saying that it was unacceptable because it alienated the people and used what he called “fascistic language.” Soyinka further explained that Baba-Ahmed’s insistence that the Supreme Court had to agree with him was a form of intimidation and a betrayal of democracy. Soyinka refused to be a part of such language, stating that he had warned the presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, about the excesses of his supporters, otherwise known as “Obidients.”
In a statement titled “Media responsibility,” Soyinka expressed concern about the misrepresentation of his views on Channels Television. Soyinka claimed that his remarks had been distorted, taken out of context, and sensationalized. He emphasized that the media has a critical responsibility in transmitting the spoken word to the public, especially during a time of civic uncertainty. Soyinka criticized the prejudicial selectivity of the media and described it as a betrayal of trust. He insisted that his rejection of fascism is not new, citing three occasions where he had sent a message to Peter Obi that his followers might cause him to lose the election.
Soyinka expressed his concern about the alleged complaint by him of people not following “instructions.” He stated that he is not a member of the Labour Party, and giving instructions is not his role. He insisted that piecemeal transmission is legitimate as long as a part is not presented as the whole. Soyinka concluded by emphasizing that his critique of incipient fascism in the movement remains grounded in indisputable evidence.
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