Soyinka: I Was in Trenches with Tinubu, But Will Criticise Him When Necessary

Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja

Renowned playwright and Nobel Laureate, Prof Wole Soyinka, yesterday said that he would assess the Bola Tinubu-led administration when his self-imposed moratorium expires, starting from some of the president’s aides, whom he said should be facing anti-graft agencies.

Speaking on Channels Television, the writer who was answering a question on whether his decisions to not criticise Tinubu was because of their closeness during the fight against the military, stated that it won’t stop him from talking when the time comes.

He alleged that some elected government officials who hid under the cover of immunity previously are currently serving as top officials under the current government, vowing to beam his searchlight on such politicians at the right time.

Soyinka who described Tinubu as a  “doughty fighter” during the military era, stated that some of his aides should be facing the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).

According to the human rights activist, although somebody’s record must always be taken to account, which is done even in the courts, it shouldn’t blur anyone’s sense of right and wrong.

Soyinka had during a visit to Tinubu in his Bourdillion residence in highbrow Ikoyi area of the state, stated that he was withholding his assessment of the current administration until Tinubu’s first-year anniversary in office.

“In addition, I wish to say this: It doesn’t mean that I won’t even open my mouth on critical issues. For instance, if tomorrow we find out that 200 plus or 300 plus children, pupils have been abducted, obviously, that’s too momentous an event, that I won’t keep quiet about or not contribute something towards.

“First of all, Tinubu was a fighter during the anti- Sani Abacha struggle and there is no way as a human being and as a one with a sense of fairness… the law recognises the fact that somebody’s record must always be taken into account before you descend on that person for some kind of neglect, criminality, failure, whatever.

“However, I can never allow the past achievement of any individual to  twist my appeal for any urgent issue. I cannot say because you were a fighter during the NADECO struggle, therefore I will sit down and watch you condone corruption.

“For instance, when it is time we’re going to look at those, for me, when it’s that time, those in his government, who should be under trial right now yet occupy critical positions in the ruling party.

“There are issues like that and looking at it, they should be answering questions from EFCC. This individual who held this position, but who had immunity at the time, that person no longer has immunity.

“ICPC , EFCC, what are you doing about that? What has happened? We’ve been waiting. So, things like that. Numerous issues. If there’s an opportunity, for instance of dealing drastically with criminals, kidnappers and so on, and the head of state fails, I’m not going to wait a year,” he stated.

Soyinka who will be 90 in July, stated that he had been waiting to feel his age, stretch his legs and be served by his children and grandchildren, but that it was impulsive for him to always intervene when issues of public concern come up.

“Sometimes, I have asked: Why haven’t you learned to age gracefully? That’s one thing I have not succeeded in. By gracefully I mean sitting down, putting your feet, being looked after by your children or your grandchildren, and just letting the world go by.

“ I have been waiting to feel 90. I waited to feel 80, I didn’t feel it; before that, 60 I didn’t feel anything. I feel just as I felt about half a decade ago, whether that’s a curse or a blessing, I don’t know,” he added.

Soyinka also raised the issue of one Mubarak Bala, who was jailed for blasphemy in 2022, wondering why he spoke on the matter the same day he spoke about not assessing Tinubu until one year, but Bala’s issue never made it to the news.

“And, in particular, I was very distressed by the neglect of one important issue. And that was the continuing incarceration of a young citizen, Mubarak Bala, who has been in prison.

“ I asked myself, was this not a far more important issue than a comment that I’m not prepared and will not make a holistic assessment of a government that is virtually new to the game? I didn’t see it carried anywhere. And now that bothers me.

“For me, this is far more critical than whether Wole Soyinka criticises the president or not,” he stated.