Nobel laureate Wole Soyinka has dismissed calls to evaluate President Tinubu’s administration, stating he will speak when necessary. Responding to public pressure, he questioned why he was singled out, emphasizing that assessing governance is a collective effort. Soyinka reiterated that he refuses to be bound by external expectations.
Nobel laureate Wole Soyinka has rejected public calls to evaluate President Bola Tinubu’s administration, asserting that he will speak on governance matters at his discretion.
During an interview on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief on March 24, Soyinka dismissed demands for him to review Tinubu’s first year in office, a promise many claim he made. He argued that he is not bound by external timelines and questioned why he was being singled out.
“People should stop trying to work on my timetable for me,” Soyinka stated. “I will speak when I find it necessary, not because one year has passed.”
The expectations arose following his December 2023 visit to Tinubu’s Lagos residence, where he previously said he would assess the administration after a year. However, Soyinka insisted that evaluating governance is a shared responsibility, highlighting the voices of human rights lawyer Femi Falana and activist Omoyele Sowore, who have been vocal about the government’s policies.
“Why am I expected to deliver a verdict? Did I do that with previous administrations? Governance assessment is a collective duty, not mine alone,” he remarked.
With Nigeria facing economic challenges, rising inflation, and high living costs, many had hoped Soyinka would weigh in on Tinubu’s leadership. Despite acknowledging public interest, he maintained that his views would come at his own pace, not due to public pressure.
His remarks have sparked debate, with some supporting his stance while others insist that influential voices like his are crucial in holding leaders accountable.
