Wole Soyinka Rejects Pressure to Assess Tinubu’s Administration on Public Demand

 

Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka has pushed back against attempts by Nigerians to pressure him into assessing President Bola Tinubu’s administration at a predetermined time, stating that he will speak only when he deems it necessary.

Speaking on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief on Monday, March 24, Soyinka dismissed the idea of adhering to a strict timeline for evaluating Tinubu’s performance, particularly as the one-year mark of the administration approaches on May 29, 2024.

"People should stop trying to work on my timetable for me," Soyinka said, addressing those who have reminded him of his earlier remarks about evaluating Tinubu after one year in office.

The literary icon humorously added, “I had not swallowed an alarm clock. I don’t see why I should set my alarm and say, ‘One year has passed, now I must make an assessment,’ if there is nothing I feel like talking about and if I am busy elsewhere.”

Soyinka also pointed out that political criticism and activism are not his sole responsibility, noting that other prominent figures, including human rights lawyer Femi Falana, journalist Festus Baiyewu, and activist Omoyele Sowore, have consistently spoken out on national issues.

"This business of ‘you haven’t come to do this’—I don’t understand it. Others are already speaking up. It’s a collective effort," he said.

He also referenced his December 24, 2023, visit to President Tinubu in Lagos, during which he had stated he would withhold judgment until a full year had passed. Since then, economic challenges, inflation, and rising living costs have fueled growing concerns about Tinubu’s leadership.

Soyinka further questioned why people were particularly eager for him to assess Tinubu’s government, stating that he never followed such a timeline for past presidents.

"Did I do that with Jonathan? Did I do that with Buhari? Did I do that with Obasanjo? Did I do that with anybody? So why is it expected of me now?"

Concluding his remarks, Soyinka clarified, “One year is up, which means you have the right to ask, and I have the responsibility to respond when called upon. But that doesn’t mean I will call a press conference just because the clock struck one year.”