Literary giant and Nobel Laureate Prof. Wole Soyinka has expressed grave reservations about the potential candidacy of Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 elections, for the upcoming 2027 polls. Soyinka’s remarks, made during an interview with Noble Nigeria, have sent shockwaves through the political landscape, reigniting debates about leadership competence and the role of online discourse in shaping public opinion.
Soyinka, renowned for his unwavering commitment to truth and his fearless stance against injustice, did not mince words when addressing Obi’s suitability for the nation’s highest office.
“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,” Soyinka asserted.
At the heart of Soyinka’s criticism lies his concern over the actions of Obi’s supporters, dubbed the “Obidients,” during the previous election cycle. Soyinka accused Obi of exerting control over online trolls who engaged in derogatory attacks against him and other prominent figures critical of the Labour Party’s campaign strategies.
“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… 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,” Soyinka remarked, referring to the coordinated nature of the insults directed towards him on social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter).
Despite facing relentless attacks from Obi’s supporters, Soyinka remained resolute in his commitment to truth and integrity, emphasizing the futility of attempts to silence him. “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,” he continued.
Reflecting on the broader implications of online trolling and its implications for political leadership, Soyinka warned of the dangers of fostering a culture of intolerance and incivility among the youth.
“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,” he lamented.
Soyinka’s critique extends beyond Obi’s personal conduct, encompassing the competence of his team and their ability to govern a diverse and multi-textured society like Nigeria effectively. “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,” Soyinka remarked.
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