wole-soyinka

Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, says he does not regret supporting President Muhammadu Buhari during the electioneering, adding that Nigeria would not have survived four more years of former President Goodluck Jonathan’s rule.

Soyinka added that the revelation of stolen loot such as the arms purchase fraud justified his position that Nigeria was being run aground by the last administration.

The Nobel laureate said this during a programme titled, ‘Channels Book Club’ on Channels Television on Tuesday.

The playwright confessed that he used to have a bad impression of Buhari who he once described as a “devil for whom in my calculation, no spoon existed long enough to justify the risk even of an impromptu snack.”

However, Soyinka said many of his trusted companions were able to convince him during the electioneering that Buhari had changed and that the highhandedness that characterised his military rule in the 1980s could not be repeated during a democratic rule.

He said, “We were left with two credible contestants in terms of catchment area for the nation. We had reached, in my view, the bottom. I became convinced that if this country underwent four more years under President Jonathan, the country would run aground completely. I looked at the record and said this cannot go on, this has to stop.

“Then I looked at this man who had contested elections three times before and said he would not contest anymore and then decided to throw his hat in the ring. I talked to people and I said do you know what you’re doing?

“And after weighing all the options, I said let’s try a new one. And since in electoral terms, he was the one, I guardedly, with reservations, announced that no, not a continuation under Jonathan.

“And so very reluctantly, I want this on record, because I made it quite clear, I weighed the two of them and I said this nation stands a better chance under Buhari. And what has been coming out now? Look at all that has been coming out? Look at the figures (loot) which virtually hammer one into the ground just the sheer enormity of the robbery of this nation that is getting exposed progressively. It shows that we did not make a bad choice.”

When asked if he was completely satisfied with Buhari’s six months in office, Soyinka said, “Not totally but Buhari has proven that there is such a thing as a born again democrat.”

Asked his opinion of the recent pro-Biafran agitations, Soyinka said there was a need for the government to meet with pro-Biafran groups to understand the real problem.

The playwright said the government should convoke a fresh National Conference which would address the feelings of pro-Biafran elements.

The octogenarian said the government could not wish away with idea of Biafra because ideas could not be killed.

He said the government should treat the matter dispassionately as there was nothing evil about secession. He noted that Nigeria even ceded the Bakassi peninsula to Cameroun.

Soyinka said, “So, let us sit down, let us talk once again about restructuring the nation in a way that no one will want to leave. The agitations, for me, are not surprising. It was expected that it would happen sooner or later.

“So, I am referring to a genuine and authentic National Conference. Not like the one that former President Olusegun Obasanjo called which was meant to try to perpetuate himself in office.

“The one under Jonathan was extensive; it covered lots and lots of ground. It proposed some far-reaching changes, not far-reaching for me, but far-reaching. It is about time we went back to efforts like that; genuine ones like that.”

– Sahara Reporters

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521 COMMENTS

  6. Dnt worry nigerians, d 2017 budget is gonna change d whole nigeria, u’ll nw buy rice @ #20 per cup, beans #15 per cup, nd d price of every oda tins will just fall to cheaper rate

  36. He’s right. the northerners wouldn’t have accepted Goodluck as the winner of the 2015 election which would cause war thats why USA predicted that Nigeria wont be a nation after 2015. all thanks to Goodluck for putting them to shame.

  41. FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA.

    GOODLUCK EBELE JONATHAN.

    THE CALL,

    When America saw the killing in the north in 2011 just because GEJ won the presidential election, they predicted the disintegration of Nigeria in 2015 knowing that there would be another presidential election and GEJ will again win and the war will begin.

    2015 came, they heard and interpreted the Dogs and Baboons soaking in blood statement. America got prepared, they waited in Ghana and observe the happenings the world tuned their ears listening for the sound of bombs and watched expecting the first attack.

    The “clock stood still” tension walked through the cities, terror became neighbours, everybody became a suspect.

    He remembered the prediction, he remembered the threat, he also remembered the action in 2011.

    He asked himself, is my political ambition worth the blood of any man?

    The phone resting on the table
    Results on cable
    Jega’s voice not stable

    States still calling
    Results still coming

    Tension keep building
    Prediction drawing near
    Threat on alert.

    He remembered you!!!!

    Your importance to your family
    Your value to the society
    Your hope for the future.

    He thought of a way out of this impending secretly organised war.

    Just then, he picked his phone
    He dialled a number
    He said congratulations

    And:

    America’s prediction failed
    Buhari’s threat failed

    He uphold the peace
    He uphold ONE Nigeria

    The CALL wasn’t because he lost

    The CALL was for you to live

    And YOU are still alive after 365days.

    Please, appreciate him and say ….

    THANK YOU SIR

    #Copied

  54. sir am sorry o say this but i have to. its been one year four month the elected president has been on sit and its as if we are on voting issues.you know were this country should be by now based on men n women it his produce and are still in the heart of the world that is to say are (world representatives) then wen it comes the to the matters facing this God love country those men n women do not want to say anything that represent them in the country and the world in respect of who they are and what they should stand for but rather that what they want to look like in the face off just a president that saw elected not sturdy-ed or work heard for. sir Jonathan saved you and i from war next time sir if you want your respect to be given to you then respect your ex-president you do not have his kind of heart.thank you wale soyinka

  61. Most people have been enslaved mentally by APC, they see Buhari as God, to them Buhari can not go wrong, the only thing they understand is to blame Jonathan. Other countries in recession did not blame past leaders, they concentrate their energy on fixing things.

  67. Don’t u no that the worst president Nigeria has ever have have is buhari take a look at the economic today things have change we can no longer eat at list three times a day all because of buhari regained.

  70. Joy Ekejiuba Osondu I ave been reading to see if one person could understood dis man for once until I saw ur comment joy, thank u dat is just Wat soyika ment, Nigerian would ave been a history by now, buhari is ruling n there Is blood everywhere how much more if it’s were another person???? U people should understand wit him thank u

  72. Dis administration is just like a lost sheep no way forward always blaming de past administration I tink it is high tym buhari nd his cabinet should look for a way to end dis present economy situation

  84. One of the yoruba old wine that sold nigeria to this backwardness because of their selfish interest of senseless Vice President. Tribalism is a disease and it creeps a nation like its in nigeria now.

  101. If Goodluck Jonathan didn’t accept defeat how many of u youth would argree to fight with him? Nigerian youths are too lazy, pls, you all want to hit it big like all those old idiots robbing u black and blue.

  113. Guys pls calm down… Let me tell u guys the reason why he said it.
    War would have been happening now if Jonathan had won the election. That’s wat d old man is trying to say… It was revealed that buhari distributed guns.

  123. Pls allow d gentle prop to relax. It is true, we could’v made a great mistake if we voted Jonathan. Do you ppl think Jonathan can win election without the northerners u ar abusing? Don’t 4get u will one day need our vote’s. Remember Jonathan became president by accident

    • Thunder fire your dirty mouth, if not for Yoruba’s inconsistency in developing an all south agenda, no aboki will be blabbing in this country but be rest assured that day is coming when west and east will come together as one south then and only then will the Fulani propaganda come to an end and Nigeria will become great cos greatness resides in the south not the north.

    • Udo God punish u one thousand times. With your segregation, when will u ppl agree to merge with another region? It’s fault of our colonial master that put us together with undiserable ppl like u. Go to hell, Buhari is presently ur leader whether u like it or not

  128. I concur with you sir. I’m sure if it were to be jona that won the last election, by now they would have use Nigeria to borrow money from Ghana and Europe….

    Do you guys think its easy to straighten a dried bent fish?

    The cankerworms that ate naija , no be today e start ooo. So don’t expect buhari to come and do abrakadabra overnight.

  133. GEJ was the best president nigeria ever had. The lives of his people was important to him, that was why he stepped down. He was a true leader and a great man. So I don’t know what you are saying sir.

  149. Fools that deceiving nigerians, u so much criticise GEJ during his tenure, why re u not doing same to PMB, when PMB has brought so much hardship opon the masses since his emergence as the president of our great 9ja

  164. rulling a country is not about straightening a bent fish or whatever you want to use’ … rulling a country need the best strategy and not using the past government as an excuse…the problem of nigeria today is because our leaders does not have the clue to rule a country..they just want to build one road and one school before their tenor ends without any reasonable plan…we were once bless with a man of strategy…..”yaradua” but we lost him….what Matters in rulling a country is not the past govt,it is not you the ruler but the citizens…no president is useless they just lack common sense

  167. Sir for the very first time in my adult age I respectfully disagree with your views. With what economic index are u making this comparism?! Agreed there was looting but somehow his team of small committed persons could still manage the economy and now with the so many “over committed hands” and no looting we are in recession in less than 730 days in power. I object to ur views sir.

    • Victor Ekpo… I shake my head to your thought level!!! And to think I went to School with U… What economic indicators??? Economy based on Lies… Voodoo Economics… Show me the things we ve been exporting out of Nigeria for the past 16 years… And U were all telling urself lies and u believed that there was an economy… Its a very Big shame my Brother… My body cringe… U disagree with the real n u are proud to display it… A very big shame…

    • Bunmi… One thing I’ve noticed about us as a people is that we rarely look beyond NOW!.I’ve asked this question quite a number of times and it’s the same response i get…

      You ask this government not to blame or refer to the malfeasance of the past…that’s fair.Now are we ready to go through the effects of this same malfeasance on our lives???…..therein lies the problem.Most malaria medicines are bitter but you still take it to cure you of malaria parasites.We want to take the medicine without the bitterness….that would’ve been Ideal because of the level of suffering in the country but unfortunately that only exists in the sphere of “unrealism”.

      It’s actually a tragedy that we’ve found ourselves in this situation but we need to ask ourselves some critical questions?.Would this recession have been avoided?.My answer to that is a resounding NO!.This was long coming but we kept quiet when the likes of Sanusi and Soludo talked about the way monies were being looted.We only complained even when Sanusi was harassed out of office simply because the proceeds of corruption kept the economy going.

      Guys…the chicken has come home to roost and I’ll rather look for opportunities to survive this period.We’re asked to shut up because Buhari hasn’t sold the presidential fleet (I agree by the way that it should’ve been sold) but it’s strange to me that we’re not venting the same anger on people that have looted our common wealth.These same shenanigans are sponsoring bloggers and media jobbers to influence the perception people have about this government.Just a few days ago….social media was on fire with statements reportedly made by Oby Ezekwesili.Before you could say…holy smokes,it was shared as a further criticism of the government.Just 2 days ago…..Vanguard published a rebuttal and apologia(a la Obabhiagbon).

      My question to a number of people is….how many oil and mono-culture economies like Nigeria are not in recession?.The few ones that are not in recession are those that saved amd prepared for this day(Saudi Arabia,UAE,Bahrain and Kuwait).Please read up the effects of global oil prices on the economies of Venezuela,Russia,Uzbekistan,Angola,Algeria and Gabon.We’re blaming the same government that has stemmed the bleeding of this economy and yet only a muted condemnation of an ex-first lady coming out to announce owning $31.5m in an account with a different name!.We’re a rare breed as a people!.

      It took the US- a country that has the largest,most diversified and sophisticated economy 2 years to get out of recession when Obama took over in 2008 yet we blame a man for allowing the economy go into recession with dwindling oil revenues,an empty treasury,dilapitated infrastructure and monoculture economy.

      As much as I agree that PMB needs to improve quite a lot in the areas of governance…..i’m happy that for the first time in my life…..someone is making efforts to ensure our meals are not stolen by a few who would now oppress us with fast cars,caviars and luxury mansions across the world where they’ll only spend a few days in a year.

      Finally….Aero and the other airlines have gone down not because of the recession but debt issues that date way back.Billions of Naira were allocated as bail-out to these airlines under the previous government but we all know the story.Aero specifically has been under AMCON management and the culprit to blame for this is Cecilia Ibru.While it’s perfectly fine to keep this government on it’s toes….let’s do it with realism and fairness.

  171. but that is the truth,Nigeria would have survived because GEJ and his ministers had all it take to manage the Nigeria economy but because of some persons that actually wanted to av a taste of political power without knowing what it means to be a politician has turn Nigeria into a mess.

  175. The same this old fool illiterate that called himself a littered man was cruising and calling GEJ all sorts of names now he suddenly realize the importance of Jonathan huh? Nigeria has seen nothing yet cos they re getting what they asked for.. And is actually giving them what they deserve.. Old fools

  181. Newton you will always side you people.
    Lemme tell you one thing:yuroba people are shameless and greedy.They contributed a lot to the present situation of the country. You people hated Jonathan cos he refused to be a puppet on strings by the yuroba elites.shame on you guys,let the innocent Jonathan have his peace. And don’t use corruptions as tools to discredit him. Hed did a nice job and most importantly he is a man of peace.get that!

  183. Yes, the north were prepared for a total war, if Gej had been pronounced the winner, it sounds funny to some ppl but its a painful truth, and the south was never prepared for what would have come over them,. Buhari meant his threat that the dog and baboo will soak in there blood if he looses

  184. The number of people loosing their jobs in this BUHARI’s regime is more than the money they claimed was lost during gej’s regime. Prices of everything has sky rocketed, a lot of people cannot even afford 2 square meals not to talk about 3, A lot of parents cannot even afford to send their children to good schools , people are sick and no money for proper medical care.
    Wole there you are talking about illusions, what could and couldn’t have happened. Has Nigeria become your drama and novel???? What are your suggestions about the present state of the economy? ???? Stop throwing tantrums! !!!!!

  188. Soyinka sir contest d office of president or governor let c if Nigerians will vote for u,U always like to portion blames,n u know very well every body can be wise after event,wt all ds hunger in the land ur still talking trash Mr know it all

  203. 2018/19 is coming soon…. We already numb to all dis from the days I was a youth… The truth is you leaders failed in all aspect even you sir wole… Your all went to the free schools and government sponsored empowerment scheme back then.. All your gave back was greed, corruption, deprivation, tribalism and religious hate…As fela was know for weed smoke He was more transparent than any of you…my fellow Nigerian who paid their ways thru schools, hustle and still living in the struggle …i hail and let one love prevail in us

  206. He is a secret APC man so what do u expect? Everything he does are secrets…cults and the likes ….rubbish talk. You want to compare this govt full of empty brains with that of GEJ made up of sound minded Technocrats?…

  211. Hello Nigerians! Lets not create war on Facebook. I advocate for peace. Come to think of it we have had numerous presidents and Heads of States. They all have their problems, achievements and mistakes. Was any of them perfect? Lets ask God to help us now. Economic Recession is not new in the world. Europe experienced it and they are almost out of it. Instead of suggesting to the new administration to move forward, you are fighting on Facebook. Leave fight for soldiers in the field. You have beautiful brains and thoughts. Please exhibit it for the benefit of all Naijas and they will remember you wen you are no more. GEJ has tried and failed. In fact, all the past leaders have tried and have failed as stated an perceived by all. So lets all not allow the present one to fail again the failures of the past did us no good. Thank you all and God bless.

  212. What is this man talking about? Are we surviving now? If not for the grace of God sustaining people does he know that what we will be hearing is BREAKING NEWS… A family of five died before morning due to long starvation. Hunger!!!

  220. You where against Jonathan then,so why re you saying this thrash now,you said you hv your 60 reasons why you i’ll not VOTE 4him,so prof why re you regretting now,you wanted a CHANGE now hv seen it,negative CHANGE.

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  225. …….. #with wisdom and utmost understandings,… I have seen that no amount of prayer & fasting/preaching can remove gullibility from the minds of many Nigerians with myopic minds. Being a professor does nt mean wisdom.(proverb says… Men should pray for wisdom and understanding)

  232. Money is a spirit and mystery. Several attestation of the word of God proves this. It is God that give power to get wealth. He makes poor and makes rich. Stolen money does not necessarily belong to the thief. The thief may only temporarily enjoy unfettered access to it and it’s benefits why he lives. Nobody dies and go to the grave with money. Better to spend money than to lock it up. The bible says there are those that scatters yet are rich and there are those that withhold more than is necessary, yet are poor. Jonathan and PDP might have been corrupt, reckless and did not invest appropriately and rightly (just like all previous dumb administrations of IBB, Abacha, Abdusalam and OBJ before it), but Jonathan’s government was actually spreading wealth systematically, though unevenly. The lucky ones were becoming rich and new millionaires were being made, and while some judiciously invested their new found wealth back into the economy, which stimulated economic growth, few did not or invested overseas. But the bottom line was that money was circulating (even though agreed this may not be too good on the long run as it may give inaccurate measurement of current of inflation or otherwise unwanted surplus in the economy). Whereas locking money up and while banks are no more lending quickly leads to dead businesses, slow economic growth, low financial purchasing power and consequently inflation and unavoidable recession and massive lose of jobs, which is worse than the former. It is not unlikely that all the money assumed looted by Jonathan government would have returned back to the main stream economy after 2015 election had he won, and therefore the nation would not be in the recession and massive lose of jobs we are in now, because banks will have enough operating capital, more so in absence of the Buhari TSA policy, and be giving out loans. If banks were giving out loans without putting adequate measures in place to mitigate losses and it turned toxic, that is failure on the part of the banks and wrong banking and investment policies for which the banks should be held responsible and not the ruling party in government or President of the country. Government is to make laws and create enabling environment for trades and investments both for local and foreign entrepreneurs. Clearly the whole world knows and real economist agreed that the present recession in Nigeria is solely as a result of totally and absolutely wrong economic policy of the Buhari government, wrong signals from the president to the Niger Delta and oil producing communities and now compounded by the militarilization of the Niger Delta and consequently total lose of investors confidence (both local and foreign) and hence Nigeria economy will either just remain stagnated or continue to slide back into recession until $1 will become N1,200 by January 2017.

  235. Hahahaha igbo slaves u dey listen reality from wise one gej and igbo are the worst tinz appen to this great country imagine igbo animal kingdom are so shameless support leaner president who embrace corruption wit useless supporter na wa oooo

  241. Sir we all know how intelligent you are but wisdom has nothing to do with education, you have to think wisely..there re some problems today dat Nigeria youth are facing of which you are de pioneer of de problem… speak solution to our government not excuses and blames.

  247. Some 3 weeks ago I bought a Tea at #250 nd i visited the same supermarket nd bought same for #500 yesterday, what’s the meaning of that? Inflation? If inflation, what type of inflation is it? Was this caused by GEJ’s? Regrettably, most Nigerians have lost their right senses including the so call intellects.

  280. Sir, come, contest & lead naija to that Paradise. Its not just talking that you have been doing. You couldn’t even win a councillor seat in you LGA . Nobody that has ever rule naija is fit in your eyes . contest for president and l will vote for you

  292. All na akukuwa (news)!, GEJ did not play his politics well, who is that person to put the whole nation on fire just because he did not win election? GEJ could have got his victory if he had join hands with rightfully elders and only few northern states could have experience unrest & another old man cry-cry!, does one person bigger than this country? My fellow people, let’s forget the pas & move on. God knows best.

  309. Let’s be sincere to our selves,dis recession is not affecting our so call leaders,they are just busy saying rubbish.no no money, but d wife of PMB d waist watch she is putting on is up to 8.million. Let them be saying nonsense. Mad pple

  313. Yes Sir u are correct Nigeria might ave disappear from the world map as a result of war and killing by the whole ethnics.thank God for honour our prayer but mind u it will still happen in the future

  322. We all no dat u people from eastern part and deltians areas dnt ve respect for your elders, please we Yoruba will not take it from you by insulting our prestigious, respective, responsible, sensible elder statesman, well educated, not corrupt bastard dat all money, resources dat is meant for thier region in to dir personal pocket. Please I beg of you all not to speak, talk or text rudely to our elders. Thanks

  323. Yes with the rate of corruption that happened in the jonathan administration,Nigeria would have been history not in recession,a country do not just go into recession overnight it is due to a continious pressure mounted on the economy by the past administration (extraction of public fund)that leads to a country’s recession.

  335. I don’t understand why this people would not have respect for their elders but want to get anything from them after all all the six yrs Ebele was they couldn’t point to one project been dobe, but which d money has been looted.But their excused is pmb hated them.Igbo think of how u can key in and be blessed

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