Nobel laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka, has fired back at those reminding him about the need to assess President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
He said although he said he would do so, no one had the right to pressure him, adding that he had not swallowed an alarm clock.
He made this known while speaking on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief on Monday, March 24, Soyinka made it clear that he would only share his thoughts when he deemed it necessary and when he had substantial points to address. He rejected the notion of adhering to a fixed timeline, such as the one-year milestone marking Tinubu’s time in office.
“I had not swallowed an alarm clock,” Soyinka quipped during the interview. He added, “I don’t see why I should put my alarm on 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 highlighted his December 24, 2023, visit to Tinubu at his residence in Ikoyi, Lagos. At the time, Soyinka had stated that he would withhold judgment on the administration until after a full year had passed. Critics have pointed to the administration’s handling of the economy, including record-high inflation and the rising cost of living, as key points of concern.
He further explained, “This business of ‘you haven’t come to do this’, I don’t understand it. Other people are doing the same; this is a collective effort. The Falanas speak consistently. The Baiyewus speak consistently. The Sowores come out and try to lead demonstrations. It’s a collective effort.”
Soyinka continued, “The one year is up, which means you have a right and I have a responsibility to respond when you call me on certain issues. But if you are saying that I would call a press conference and say: ‘One year is up, let us now make an assessment’. The only question I’d ask you is: ‘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?”
“All it means is that one year is up. If I am around, and you want to get hold of me, I would speak. That’s all that statement meant,” he concluded.
