A popular X user has called out Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka for his deafening silence on issues plaguing Nigerians and the rapid decline of the country's economy.
The user, with the handle, Nefertiti questioned when Soyinka would address President Bola Tinubu's handling of the economy, citing the rising cost of fuel and prices of goods and services.
"A litre of fuel is now selling for over N900. A bag of rice is now over N90K. When will Professor Wole Soyinka come out and talk about the Bola Tinubu government? Does he have nothing good to report?" she asked.
The post included a Punch newspaper report of Soyinka criticizing former President Goodluck Jonathan in 2014. The headline read, "Goodluck Jonathan Worse Than Nebuchadnezzar - Soyinka."
In the report, Soyinka said that Goodluck Jonathan was worse than the neo-Babylonian king, Nebuchadnezzar, labeling Jonathan as a President who embraced impunity.
Soyinka blamed Jonathan for the security invasion of the National Assembly, where lawmakers had to scale the fence to gain access to the chambers. He praised the lawmakers for their actions, criticizing the Inspector General of Police for undermining democratic structures.
He said; The act of scaling gates and walls to fulfil their duty by the people must be set down as their finest hour. They must be applauded, not derided. If shame belongs anywhere, it belongs to the Inspector General of Police and his lavish adherence to illegal and unconstitutional instructions to undermine a democratic structure, and one (to make matters worse) convoked in response to an emergency of dire concern.
Soyinka is yet to criticize Bola Tinubu despite revealing in his visit on December 25, 2023 that he would only "assess the current administration after one year in office."
The Tinubu-led administration has been hit with several controversial moments. Post-2023 after he took over the reins of power, Nigerians are experiencing hardship with the country facing high inflation figures, and an increase in the price of goods and services while insecurity has escalated.
Soyinka said in his last visit to Tinubu presented a seven-point agenda for moving Nigeria forward.
He told journalists after visiting the President, “I came here with a seven-point agenda and we had a very thorough discussion on those items.”
The Nobel Laureate recalled that on his earlier visit to Tinubu, it was to tell him not to run for president, noting that the former Lagos State governor ignored his advice.
“My first visit was an embarrassing visit because it was to try and persuade him not to run for office, I think I had written about that. I Atiku and himself to leave the ground for young people. That was the last time we met five years ago. I call him secretly “olori kunkun” which means the stubborn one. He ignored my advice completely.
“I came to see him to find out how he is doing after neglecting my advice. I wanted to see how he and his wife are faring. I also came to wish them a merry Christmas.
“You know we are old friends. And it was as a friend that I told him ‘don’t run,” he said.
“So, I am adopting the same principle this year. At the end of one year, come and ask me the same question again,” Soyinka said.
A litre of fuel is now selling above N900.
— NEFERTITI (@firstladyship) July 9, 2024
A bag of rice is now selling above N90K.
When will Professor Wole Soyinka come out & talk about the Bola Tinubu’s government?
He has nothing good to report? pic.twitter.com/8C3P6Rq6os
