Nobel Laureate, Wole Soyinka, has denied recent online media reports to the effect that he described the Igbo as people who vote based on their stomach, regretting that it was unfortunate for people to peddle lies against him.

Some online media had quoted Soyinka as saying that Igbo were politically naïve, while delivering a lecture titled ‘Predicting Nigeria, Electoral Ironies’ at Harvard University Hutchins Centre for African and African American Research in the United States.

He was reported as saying that “the Igbo remained unrepentant and resolute towards their strategic objective of secession at worst; or a Nigerian president of Igbo extraction at best.”

Reacting through a statement issued on Wednesday, the playwright stated that it was unfortunate that people could tell lies against him, describing those spreading the rumour as ‘morons’ who have ulterior motives.

He noted that his entire lecture delivered at Harvard University was recorded on video and anyone who was interested could access it on the Internet.

According to him, “I have just read a statement attributed to me on a news outlet, evidently one of the Internet infestations.

“My lecture at the Hutchins Centre, Harvard University, was video recorded.

“Anyone who believes what I am alleged to have said must be a slowpoke – repeat, a slowpoke.

“It is demeaning, sickening and boring to have to deal with these cowards who cannot fight their own battles but must fasten their imbecilic pronouncements on others.

“Only the mentally retarded will credit this comment attributed to me regarding the Ndigbo voting pattern in the last elections.

“I strongly suspect the author of this despicable concoction, and may make a further statement, once the source is verified.”



http://sunnewsonline.com/new/?p=118120

Cc:lalasticlala