[size=14pt]Nigeria is falling apart, says Nobel prize-winning author[/size]

Veteran writer and activist Wole Soyinka says his country is now a failed state. Daniel Howden reports from Lagos

Nigeria is close to breaking up and its leadership has descended into a "theatre of the absurd", according to the Nobel prize-winning playwright Wole Soyinka, who has been leading protests against the nation's political crisis.

The veteran writer and civil rights activist told The Independent that his home country was now a "failed state" where ordinary people's "anger has peaked", with potentially lethal consequences. "Nigeria is looking at its last chance in the next year," he said.

Africa's most populous country and leading oil producer is beset by multiple crises, from attacks by armed militants in the Niger Delta to sectarian massacres in its central region and a protracted struggle for the presidency in the capital, Abuja.

"If nothing changes, I cannot guarantee what recourse the people will take," the writer said. "The level of anger has peaked. I don't rule out Nigeria breaking up. That's what can happen to a failed state."

Mr Soyinka, the first African to win the Nobel prize for literature, has been at the forefront of Nigeria's democracy movement since the country gained independence from Britain in 1960. Now 76, he is the figurehead of the Save Nigeria Group, which has brought thousands of people on to the streets to demand the impeachment of the critically ill President, Umaru Yar'Adua, who has not been seen in public for four months.

Mr Soyinka condemned what he called the "industry of lies" that had grown up around the President's medical condition. He said Nigeria's first lady, Turai Yar'Adua, who has denied access to her husband and kept his true condition a secret, should stand trial for her role in the power vacuum. "This woman is there standing guard against the truth of his health," Mr Soyinka said. "When will the rest of the nation wake up?"

Mr Yar'Adua was taken to hospital in Saudi Arabia in November and only came back to Nigeria last month. Since his return he has been kept in an ambulance; he is treated only by Saudi doctors and no one outside his wife's inner circle has seen him, including the acting president, Goodluck Jonathan.

"[The President] returns under the cover of darkness and they say he is up and drinking tea, with a straight face," Mr Soyinka added. "Everyone knows it is a lie – even those who say it – and it insults people's intelligence. His mother was told to go away and could not see her son. It is spousal abuse."

He accused Mrs Yar'Adua of using her husband's "phantom existence" for her own interests, along with a corrupt cabal of unelected leaders that he called a "bunch of absolute brigands". "It has gone beyond theatre of the absurd into something ghoulish going on macabre," the writer said.

Mr Soyinka said Nigeria had a failing "neocolonial constitution", a wave of "political assassinations" and was a place where power failures were "the norm" and its leaders were "robber barons" looting the country. "There is this myth of Nigerian resilience, that we will always pull back from the brink, but there is a critical mass at which some things implode," he said.

He defended the "real militants" in the Niger Delta, whom he said had a right to take on the government over decades of neglect, rights abuses, environmental crimes and theft of resources. He called Mend "a small, well-organised and resourceful militant group" that could choke the government's lifeline of oil. Yesterday, Mend launched its biggest attack since last year.

Mr Soyinka has been jailed twice under Nigeria's dictators: firstly in 1965 for taking over a radio station to denounce a rigged election, and again in 1967 after trying to mediate in the dispute that led to a civil war.

The author compared the task of reforming Nigeria to that of Sisyphus, saying: "You roll that damn rock up the hill, you don't get anywhere and the rock rolls back down."

[size=14pt]He urged reforms to the constitution and the electoral system, to prevent a repeat of the electoral farce which took place in 2007. "I wish in God's name someone would govern this place in a way that doesn't make me feel personally belittled," he said. "I cannot stand the notion of these people feeling they have the right to wipe their dirty feet and piss upon us."[/size]

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/africa/nigeria-is-falling-apart-says-nobel-prizewinning-author-1921835.html

Must they continue to remind us that Wole Soyinka is a Nobel-Prize winner?

So its really breaking up? Breaks my heart

FL Gators:

Must they continue to remind us that Wole Soyinka is a Noble-Prize winner?

So its really breaking up? Breaks my heart

Oyibo people value brain power. You must know that, sheh you deh akata? My sister, that is what is missing in Nigeria. Lets wait a short while and all sorts of people will come up and say things about his intelligence.

On the other hand, oyibo will worship at the feet on anybody with brains, that is why they will always remind the nearest person that Wole Soyinka is a Nobel Laureate.
It is their respect of brains that has taken them so far and our disrespect for brains that is digging us so deep.

Beaf:

Oyibo people value brain power. You must know that, sheh you deh akata? My sister, that is what is missing in Nigeria. Lets wait a short while and all sorts of people will come up and say things about his intelligence.

On the other hand, oyibo will worship at the feet on anybody with brains, that is why they will always remind the nearest person that Wole Soyinka is a Nobel Laureate.
It is their respect of brains that has taken them so far and our disrespect for brains that is digging us so deep.

I hope you right mehn.

Because it makes no sense to have brain and not use it. I must say that Wole has tried his best to raise awareness about the crappy state of Nigeria, but nothing is happening sha

Yeah, I like the tune I hear from Soyinka! With men like these, there is hope in sight!

Mehn, Its hard to believe that this guy is 76 years!!

Its closer than we really think,the signs are all written in the faces of this ungodly union called nigeria.

FL Gators:

Must they continue to remind us that Wole Soyinka is a Nobel-Prize winner?

So its really breaking up? Breaks my heart

Will there ever be anyone to remind us of anything about you? That you were even a class captain ONCE in primary school? Well, if you have not achieved anything in the many years of your mere and measly existence, spare us the balderdash about being reminded he is a Laureate! OLE. . .OLE!

CyberG:

Will there ever be anyone to remind us of anything about you? That you were even a class captain ONCE in primary school? Well, if you have not achieved anything in the many years of your mere and measly existence, spare us the balderdash about being reminded he is a Laureate! OLE. . .OLE!

You came at me because. . . . dont use a smiley face you sneaky mofo

FL Gators:

You came at  me because. . . . dont use a smiley face you sneaky mofo

And you came back at me because . . . .don't use a smiley face you sneaky fafo

CyberG:

And you came back at me because . . . .don't use a smiley face you sneaky fafo

Sha reply to the topic jor

I wonder where those people who would rather pray than accept that there are serious prolems are? Or are they going to accuse Soyinka of being in the diaspora, just because he can think clearly and see severe issues?
I pity most Nigerians! Fake churches, fake mosques, okija and jankara have removed our ability to reason and act robustly.

FL Gators:

Sha reply to the topic jor

I still see you are fighting the good fight.

Hmmm feisty.

Anyway, a fellow Yoruba is stating this as well. There is hope for your people. You need more Wole Soyinkas among you. This man received no hate from the Ndi Igbo. We actually admire him and he is a true friend of my people

EzeUche:

I still see you are fighting the good fight.

Hmmm feisty.

Anyway, a fellow Yoruba is stating this as well. There is hope for your people. You need more Wole Soyinkas among you. This man received no hate from the Ndi Igbo. We actually admire him and he is a true friend of my people

Wow, why do you hate Yoruba pl so much ? You're fighting an internal battle that is not yours to fight

Of course we have hope. . . . I'm full of hope, arent you?

FL Gators:

Wow, why do you hate Yoruba pl so much ? You're fighting an internal battle that is not yours to fight

Of course we have hope. . . . I'm full of hope, arent you?

I hate Yoruba ppl No. Whatever, gave you that idea from my post? 

Because I support Yoruba activist like Wole Soyinka, I hate Yorubas. My dear I do not have hate anywhere in my body.

I am full of hope, that we Igbos will have our own nation.

You will be invited to my village in Abia State!!! 

hmmm

EzeUche:

I still see you are fighting the good fight.  

Hmmm feisty.

Anyway, a fellow Yoruba is stating this as well. There is hope for your people. You need more Wole Soyinkas among you. This man received no hate from the Ndi Igbo. We actually admire him and he is a true friend of my people

your own too much, we could be chatting about mars exploration and i bet you would find a way to bring ethnicity into it.

bawomolo:

your own too much, we could be chatting about mars exploration and i bet you would find a way to bring ethnicity into it.

Well the Chinese are considering mining the moon as they land on the moon in 2013.

So Mars will not be so far-fetched soon.

Beaf:

I pity most Nigerians! Fake churches, fake mosques, okija and jankara have removed our ability to reason and act robustly.

But  but  but  Pastor Eunuch has PROMISED me that I will sit on the RIGHT side of God provided that I make my pay check available to Eunuch for the maintenance of his $20 million luxury jet, every month and without fail.

With that assurance in mind, I have SURRENDERED all my reasoning faculties, and handed the steering wheel of my destiny to Pastor Eunuch.  Please don't tell me this is a stupid idea, because even if you do, I CHOOSE to remain disoriented and HIGH on the promises of Gods Representative on Earth - Pastor "Gulfstream4" Eunuch.   Praise the Lord !!

EzeUche:

I hate Yoruba ppl No. Whatever, gave you that idea from my post? 

Because I support Yoruba activist like Wole Soyinka, I hate Yorubas. My dear I do not have hate anywhere in my body.

I am full of hope, that we Igbos will have our own nation.

You will be invited to my village in Abia State!!! 

*death* Even without invitation, I'm still gonna come uninvited.

You said "There is still hope for your people", assuming that you think we're hopeless? A whole nation of ppl, kai!

EzeUche:

Well the Chinese are considering mining the moon as they land on the moon in 2013.  

So Mars will not be so far-fetched soon.

Are you serious?

What kinda mines?

FL Gators:



You said "There is still hope for your people", assuming that you think we're hopeless? A whole nation of ppl, kai!

Yes, your people are hopelessly rudderless. Your people is a ship with no sails. You all go in each direction the wind blows.

FL Gators:


Are you serious?

What kinda mines?

China hopes to tap into the Moon's mineral resources since it is so much competition for mineral resources on Earth.

Yes, your people are hopelessly rudderless. Your people is a ship with no sails. You all go in each direction the wind blows.

Seems you are a small boy- Yoruba people know where they are going. We are just watching and laughing. At least the ruling elite of the yoruba

@ezeuche better learn to speak without pushing people to the opposing line.

@gator what do you think the product of a talking donkey and a talking crocodile would be ? Just curious

EzeUche:

Yes, your people are hopelessly rudderless. Your people is a ship with no sails. You all go in each direction the wind blows.  

LOL on a serious note, what rxn do yu hope to get from me on this one?

EzeUche:

China hopes to tap into the Moon's mineral resources since it is so much competition for mineral resources on Earth.

I'm going to look this up. Very interesting, this would be in the engineering field right?

edoyad:

@ezeuche better learn to speak without pushing people to the opposing line.

@gator what do you think the product of a talking donkey and a talking crocodile would be ? Just curious

aa kii n fi gbogbo ara binu. . . . You must not always show your rxn. . . . chillax dear

SEFAGO:

Seems you are a small boy- Yoruba people know where they are going. We are just watching and laughing. At least the ruling elite of the yoruba

Know where you are going? Do not make me laugh. When your politicians stop killing each other, then talk to me. No collective will for the Yoruba people.

As an outsider, I would say that you all should look to Wole Soyinka as a leader.

EzeUche:

Know where you are going? Do not make me laugh. [b]When your politicians stop killing each othe[/b]r, then talk to me. No collective will for the Yoruba people.

As an outsider, I would say that you all should look to Wole Soyinka as a leader.

Small time politicians kill each other. The real people behind the scenes are all paddy

FL Gators:

LOL on a serious note, what rxn do yu hope to get from me on this one?

What do you think?   The defenders of the the rudderless Yoruba is what you all are. I know it is hard defending your own people but you do a great job.

FL Gators:

I'm going to look this up. Very interesting, this would be in the engineering field right?

So you want to be an engineer? I think it is both engineering, physics and rocket science.

SEFAGO:

Small time politicians kill each other. The real people behind the scenes are all paddy

Yes, the real people behind the scenes are the house boys of the Fulani. '

We all know who pull the strings in Yorubaland.

EzeUche:

What do you think?   The defenders of the the rudderless Yoruba is what you all are. I know it is hard defending your own people but you do a great job.

Thank you for the recognition.

So CyberG, you see, someone is reminding you that I'm a good defender. . . .

EzeUche:

So you want to be an engineer? I think it is both engineering, physics and rocket science.

LOL are you hoping I dont become one because I'm Yoruba?

EzeUche:

Yes, the real people behind the scenes are the house boys of the Fulani.  '

We all know who pull the strings in Yorubaland.

you must be kidding- the Fulani pull the strings in Yorubaland haha funny. Get off Nairaland mate and learn about the real world. The relationship between the Yoruba and Hausa-Fulani is symbiotic  .

FL Gators:

LOL are you hoping I dont become one because I'm Yoruba?

Why would I not want that? Maybe you can help me when I want to build a compound in my village.

SEFAGO:

Small time politicians kill each other. The real people behind the scenes are all paddy

My friend, go and sit down!
You guys better gather behind Soyinka. In the past there were the likes of Awo and Babatope, now there is nobody.