Wole Soyinka, the Nobel laureate, says Peter Obi is “unfit”
to lead Nigeria.
Obi was the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP)
in the 2023 election and polled third behind Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples
Democratic Party (PDP) and Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
In an interview with Noble Eyisi, a digital creator, Soyinka
said he hopes that the former Anambra governor does not vie for the presidency
in the 2027 election.
Soyinka alleged that Obi has encouraged the vitriol aimed
his way from his supporters — who are called ‘Obidients’.
“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 said.
“I know for a fact that he was in control of those forces.”
The novelist added that dishonest political leaders are
encouraging the “divisive actions of the group”.
He said “one of these days, they would turn on them and
teach them a lesson”.
“It has to do with education. I didn’t read all these insults
from Obidients but of course, some links were sent to me, especially when facts
were being manufactured,” Soyinka said.
“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.
“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.
“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 but it is for me a sad
phenomenon, especially for those who want to lead a 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.”
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