₦airaland Forum

Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka has rejected any attempt by Nigerians to dictate the timing of his assessment of President Tinubu’s government.

He asserted his independence, making it clear that he would not be bound by external schedules.

Soyinka emphasised that he would only offer his evaluation when he deems it necessary and when he has substantive observations to share, dismissing the notion that he should adhere to a pre-determined timeline, such as the one-year mark of Tinubu’s presidency.

Soyinka asked Nigerians not to work on his timetable for him, saying he would speak on Tinubu’s government when he had something to say.

“People should stop trying to work on my timetable for me,” the nonagenarian cautioned those asking him to fulfil his promise to assess Tinubu’s administration after one year in office which elapsed on May 29, 2024.

“I had not swallowed an alarm clock,” Soyinka said on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief programme on Monday.

“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.”

On Sunday, December 24, 2023, Soyinka paid a visit to Tinubu in his Bourdillon residence in the highbrow Ikoyi area of Lagos. When asked to assess Tinubu’s administration which started on May 29, 2023, the Nobel laureate said he would reserve his comments about Tinubu’s government till after one year, in May 2024.

Critics have accused Tinubu, ex-Lagos governor, of mismanaging the economy, with all-time high inflation and unprecedented cost of living.

Tinubu’s administration would be two years in office by May 29, 2025, and many had expected Soyinka to fulfill his promise.

However, the academic said many conscientious persons had been speaking and that assessing any government is a collective responsibility of like-minded persons.

Soyinka said, “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.

“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.”

Validated:
Toh, he lost his voice and alarm clock to TRIBALISM!!

Validated:
Toh, he lost his voice and alarm clock to TRIBALISM!!

Validated:
Toh, he lost his voice and alarm clock to TRIBALISM!!

edet19892015:
Unless you understand your role in society, you can never make any meaningful contribution.

According to the Greeks, they are three types of people on Earth,
1. The idiots,
2. The tribesmen, and
3. The citizens.

Studies show only 10% of Africans are citizens.
The remaining 90% are either tribesmen or idiots.

1. When the Greeks used the word "Idiot", they did not use it as a curse word.
Idiots are people who just don’t care.
If they sit for exams, they will cheat.
If they are in government they will steal.

An idiot does not care at all, if he eats bananas he throws the peels anywhere instead of putting them in a trash bin.

IDIOTS won't attend monthly neighborhood meetings. They won't pay security dues. They won't contribute to community development. Even when they see or know about something that will harm others in the community they won't report it. When they see/know/have something that will benefit their community they won't share.

In fact, Idiots don't care to register for or vote in an election, yet they complain the most. If they register to vote, IDIOTS will sell their votes for peanuts.

According to the Greeks, some societies have more idiots than tribesmen and citizens.

2. The next set of people are "Tribesmen", these are people that look at everything from the point of view of their tribe.

These are people that believe in you only if you are part of their tribe.
It can be terrible to have a tribesman as a leader, he will alienate the rest.

When the Greeks talk about tribes, it’s not just about ethnicity, they also consider religion, gang membership, group membership, party membership and even cult membership as a tribe.

A great percentage of Africans are tribesmen, because they view everything from the point of view of their tribes. They trust only their tribesmen

3. The last group are "Citizens".
These are people who like to do things the right way.
They will respect traffic light rules even if no one is watching them.

They drive within speed limits.
They respect the laws, and won’t cheat in exams.
In government, they won’t steal.
They are compassionate and give to others to promote their well-being.

Citizens often promote projects that benefit everyone.
The Greeks called this group "The Citizens".

Some countries have more citizens than tribesmen and idiots, others have so many idiots.

A tribesman can become a citizen through orientation.
And an idiot can become a citizen by training and constant enforcement of the law.

But things fall apart if you elect an idiot or tribesman to lead you if he has not been reformed.

Where do you belong? Are you an idiot, a tribesman or a citizen? Reflect on your life.
Reflect about your immediate community, city, state and nation.

#EdetEdemAkpan #Share