Wole Soyinka, Nobel laureate
Professor Wole Soyinka has denied comments attributed to him concerning the voting pattern of the Igbo in the March 28 presidential election.
The report, published by TheCable, alleged that he accused the Igbo of voting according to their “stomachs”.
In an angry response to the story, Soyinka said in a statement: “I have just read a statement attributed to me on something called The CABLE, 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 moron – repeat, a moron. 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.
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“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.”
71 comments
These Igbo people sef. I guess me and my family who voted Buhari are not Igbo? Nigerians and their incurable stereotypicalism and tribalism.
Your comment..TRUE TALK D IGBOS ‘VE MADE MONEY TO BE THIER GOD.THEY ARE READY TO DO ANYTHING FOR MONEY NO MATTER HOW BAD OR DANGEROUS THANK U.
you must be suffering from advanced case deranged synapses
From your comment you are not Ibo. Am sorry for you as you have exhibited Ignorance. No tribe is superior to another and you did not select your tribe. The good,the bad and the ugly abound in every tribe.Each time we descend so low to play the tribal card we betray the spirit of our common humanity and ancestry. And exhibit crass ignorance and our backwardness. May God of Nigeria help remove this blindness occasioned by ethnic bigotry. May we learn to respect and appreciate each other and imbibe the spirit of cooperation against the spirit of mutually destructive unhealthy competition to foster true brotherhood that will usher enduring development and progress for Nigeria.
@Quaboy, may God bless you. Some of us are ignorant of what we say. I guess most of the writers are below the age of fifty and have just fleeting of Nigerian history.some are not even at grip with the psychology of their people. They are bundles of sentiments. May God open our eyes to respect one another for peace and progress. We shouldn’t forget all those divisive elements and embrace our uniting cords
When I read comments like yours, I have the confidence that there are elements God would be proud of among us. Every society that is developed must have successfully managed its diversity. We need to learn that or continue on the road to mutually assured destruction. Let tribal campaigners know that ALL of us will be consumed by our impatience, lack of temperance and utter puerile behaviour in relating with other tribes. God didnt make a mistake creating other tribes around us. We are stupidly making the mistake of seeing ourselves better than others around us.
It is not right to generalize like that. It is childish. I and many others who voted GEJ supported him in consideration of human rights, socio-political, socio-economic and religious freedom. I have not received any dime from GEJ ever and still it had nothing to do with money. So mind what you preach!
Well spoken. I pray more people say the truth as it is
Mr. Prof am very disappointed of ur status can make this kind of statement, this is an insult to Igbo nation even if it should not be from a respected prof and this is disunity . With this kind sectional statement we can not attain nationhood in our dear country Nigeria God bless Nigeria
Why not search your soul. The truth,they say, is bitter.
Even with all his explanations. No wonder people fall exams
ur getting outdated
If you want to make sensitive claims like the ones presented here, it’s better to do so with supporting evidence–a link for the original video, say.
I don’t understand Wole Soyinka here. We all should be predicted. You supposed to know where I stand. Normally,people vote based on their financial interests or pockets. This whole nonsense that all Ibos voted for Jonathan is ridiculous. I was for Buhari and encouraged others as well.
John, surely l do not expect you to understand because you are one of few lgbos who understand how disastrous Jonathan’s government is. Even when things get obviously wrong, the president is the firstto justify it! Nigerias in diaspora are constantly under pressure of shamelessness of Jonathan’s actions. Igbo leaders your problem. They are really I B O “I Before Other. Their bellies are their God!
Please, it is not IBO but IGBO. Keep your derogatory acronym kindly to yourself. You created no man. Thanks.
This shows the extent to which tribalism has eaten into your bones by ascribing “I go before others” to the name Igbo.
Your comment..in as much as I respect Soyinka, I beg to differ on his opinions on Igbos as stated here.
first the igbos may have voted based on seeing an Ebele Azikiwe Jonathan as some what, a kith. it is safe to say ethnic affliction fuelled their votes and not greed. it is unfair to adjudge that monetary considerations prompted their votes.
Igbo’s were not the highest beneficiaries of the Jonathan presidency. it is on record that the high and mighty of Soyinka’s tribe the Yoruba’s, were feted with monetary gifts prior to the polls… talk about greed.
as for predictions and the Igbo’s being the only predictable people, all tribes were predictable in the last presidential polls.
I just hope the prof is not becoming an ethnic bigot in old age.
Old age is disturbing him!!
WOLE SOYINKA’S BRAIN HAS GROWN FRAIL WITH AGE… CHAI!! HE SOUNDED DEMENTED ON THIS ARTICLE.. CONFUSED OLD MAN NOBODY SHOULD TAKE HIM SERIOUSLY WE HAVE SEEN HOW TRUSTWORTHY THE YORUBA PEOPLE RIGHT FROM THE BIAFRAN WAR… #YORUBANDISABO
Great! Wole Soyinka is trending For the First time in his life for the wrong reason….
Hmmmm! If indeed he made dis comment, i truly sympathised with him. Tell me which human s not predictable? We all should allow nigeria 2 be insteadof instigating a fight.
This Soyinka! It s like senility is beginning to take its toll on him. His brothers that voted for PDP what did they vote for, and why berate a tribe for their free choice. I think Soyinka is quickly becoming a political nuisance that should be ignored.
The avalanche of votes for the outgoing President (Azikiwe Jonathan) came from southeastern Nigeria. Igbos in Lagos and other parts of the country made their position known thru their style of voting . Yes the Prof. spoke the truth. Chike na.
If Shiyinka’s “stomach” equates to money or economic consideration, then one should see the Igbo as way ahead of the others in deciding the values that should determine election into public office. The problem with us in the so called developing countries is that we let our politics and sentiments influence our economic decisions whereas the developed countries let their economic interest influence their politics. What are we talking about in Nigeria if not who would improve our economy and return the dollar to 77.8K as it was in 1976! Yes only Igbo people love money in Nigeria and that is why they have been the driving force for all development in the country. Check on property, trade, human presence all over the country and see if any other ethnic nationality has contributed to Nigeria’s development as much as Igbo people. It is not easy to get a Nobel recognition and I respect Professor ‘Wole Shoyinka! I prefer that he tries to retain this respect.
Was Soyinka not predictable when inspite of his regular criticism of the military regime of Ibrahim Babangida, he accepted to serve as the Chairman of the FRSC only for him to fail abysmally? Is he not predictable when after his scathing criticism of the Buhari, he turned round to support him? What makes Buhari a better evil? Is it because he chose his tribesman, Osinbajo?
This is sad. When the late Chinua Achebe let off a broadside against Yorubas in the defence of his book, “There was a country”, I struggled to comprehend it and tried to defend him on account of his age.
Why prof. Soyinka feels obliged to make such unhelpful comments is really unfortunate and regrettable. I will like to believe he has been misquoted, if not, he needs to retract the statement or apologise.
These kind of words from respected elder statesmen do not serve to unite us, and they should be condemned by one and all, whether it is an Igbo, Yoruba, Hausa, or other tribe that utters such.
I guess this fellow needs all the help he can get otherwise you will soon find him murmuring alone to himself along the road
This is a man I gladly regarded as my intellectual role model.Unfortunately,he has misfired in this tirade of his against Ndigbo.In the recent times,people of Yoruba ethnic extraction are becoming increasingly intolerant and uncomfortable about Ndigbo’s coexistence in that false geographic contraption called Nigeria.The leaders of thought from Yorubaland should be warned for them to guard their utterances.Akinwale Oluwole Soyinka,I am completely disappointed in you.
Your comment..Those who live in glass houses must not throw stones. The measures you use to judge others is same measure that God will use against you. Pls judge not & you will not be judged.
this is a sign of tribal sentiment. he spoke against GMB before election. saying the two candidates were not good but jona shd continue…
APC is tribal/religious party. where was a place for the Igbo’s in that party.
the north west conspiracy shall fail
Professor Soyinka, a Nobel Laureate and social critic, who should know about democracy, freedom and the right to choose freely without fear. Every Nigerian should have the right to vote as they choose without being judged or criticized. . It is unfair to demonize any individual, or group for voting as he/they wish. And the genius should know that. Prof. Soyinka’s statement is very unfair, and very udemocratic. He should apologize to all Nigerians.
Wole Soyinka should be called to order. He should stop insulting the sensibility of Ndi-Igbo. The Election has come and gone. He should let the sleeping dog, lie.
SOYINKA SHOULD HAVE USED ALL HIS TIME UNIFYING NIGERIA INSTEAD OF DIVIDING HER. PROF. WOLE SOYINKA, WHO PAID YOU FOR THIS TRIBAL PROPAGANDA?
I have never received anything from GEJ directly or indirectly. I voted him cos for me he is a lesser evil not because he is good. as the saying goes ‘the evil you know is better than the good you don’t know. I don’t know buhari, but for me most politicians in Nigeria are evil. Soyinka thinks buhari is a lesser evil so he voted for him. why are our own votes based on greed and his based on choice. this is unfair Soyinka, be careful.
Prof. Wole soyinka has degraded himself from this article, he has actually shown his ethnic and tribal prejudice.
But let me quickly remind him that in the whole of Nigeria, Yoruba is the only tribe which can be predicted for their cunning and daisy behaviour…
“Professor of Prejudice” you are being affected by age of crises!!
Soyinka’s view about the Igbo does not reflect his education and is in no case different from how the ordinary average Yoruba man on the street views the Igbo race
I disagree with Prof on this. Majority of igbo voted based on religion and ethnic affiliation, most igbo leaders supported Jonathan based on financial gains or greed just like some yoruba leaders too. There are many igbo that sacrificed a lot for GMB.
To bring myself to your level would be to elevate you, because since you generalized,it shows your subjectivity and abject lack of information
Who did the Ibos vote for during NPN and NPP, and who had the money then? Who were dubbed the crying governors and for what?
Please do not hide behind the wiles of agism to want to propagate hatred, as that is you know very welll will be the resultant impact of your comment.
Everyone has a right to their own allegiance,and since yours was to Buhari, what makes you believe that all of us should follow your trend of thought.
What makes your trend of thought supreme? If we choose our stomach, what makes you feel that you then have the right to discuss it without regards to our rights?
We have seen the Oba,we have seen FFK, we have seen the medical doctor,and we are still getting the vibrations that we are being prompted to understand that genocide is looming…thank you for identifying yourself
If truly prof wole made this statement, l guess he should be stripped off his professorship, because all l see in nigeria when it comes to election is tribalism… Even am tired of been a nigerian, following history it has been divide and rule by the north and west. I don’t think Prof of all people can say this trash.
I think the professor is wrong to generalize all Igbos. What he said may be true for a small part of Ndi Igbo, but it is categorically wrong to use a broad brush to paint an entire tribe in their millions. Simply wrong. I hope he was “misquoted”.
Soyinka had spoken his minds not Yorubas and his submission should be taken as such. So many factors contributed to the pattern of votes cast in the last elections….it’s fair to judge that Nigerians win for Nigeria survival.
Well, well well! As a fan of prof and a yoruba man let me sincerely apologise to the Igbo people. These are not the views of the Yoruba people. Personally I know of Ibo who voted for GMB based on their personal convictions. Igbo biko!
God help Wole. I won’t call him an Igbo hater but he is beginning to sound as one.
Prof, though I respect you, but in this, you are totally in error. Above all, I am disappointed that you made public statement that is totally untrue! You must know that every tribe has their fair share of the good, the bad and the ugly! Please I require you to withdraw your statement publicly, and henceforth, be more sensitive about what you say publicly.
I am so disappointed with wole,a person that preach against tribalism and chivalry will have impetus to generalized a particular group.Another Oba of lagos .
String him up! Impale him! Do that and much more but what you should never do is fail to pay attention to what he says. Tribalism and divisiveness won’t take anywhere however, ignoring cogent facts would kill us faster. Jonathan single handed made a laughing stock the hallowed office of the presidency. Apart from his unparalleled underperformance and unnumerable instances of corruption or flirting with it. He said on CNN that the host should personnaly visit Nigeria to confirm the improvement in electricity when there was none, he allowed Boko Haram to fester when the military was always reporting that giving the proper motivation they could be flushed out in 2months or less. He however, allowed them to work when his re-election was dependent on it. He failed to declare his assest even when it was the constitutionally right thing to do claiming amongst make unspeakable excuses that that is not what is needed to curb BH. He agreed not have executed a single project in Rivers State but argued that that is why he needed a second time. Listen to Jona, hear his arguements and reasonings, why would a tribe align itself with him and expect to be taken seriously? Prof’s comment is a wake up call and if conversely, you feel irritated by it then we wish you all quick recovery!
Perfect answer…. I know so many Ibos and Yorubas voted for Jonathan … but why align in face of such glaring in efficiency?
Where is it constitutionally provided to declare one’s asset in public? How did Jonathan flout the constitution by not declaring his assets publicly? Shame on you! You don’t even have an idea of what you are writing. Go back and do some reading on constitutional provisions on asset declaration and then come back and make restitution.
Please read the article again. This is not about GEJ but about a man most Nigerians revere and consider detribalised, returning back to the stoneage. Prof. Soyinka goofed big time on this one.
When Nigerians voted for Abiola, then Ibos were not guided by their stomach..yeye dey smell mttchhewww.
PROF AND CO…I AM IBO, I LOVE MONEY AND SUCCESS. I DONT WANT TO BE ASSOCIATED WITH THE NORTHERN MILITARY POLITICIAN, I WISH TO BE A BIAFRAN SOMEDAY. WOLE YOU ARE RIGHT, I VOTED AGAIST BUHARI……WHAT IS WRONG WITH THAT???
My brother, I salute you in the spirit of our common experience and humanity. It is sad that we cannot tolerate others when the offer their opinion whatever be it’s foundation. Please and please do not play the race or tribal card don’t also use stereotypes. Adekunle Fajuyi will be turning in his grave if he reads your comments. My Schoolmate’s father left his shop for Yoruba boys and on return while other Igbo were scraping through he went to build houses and live in affluence occasioned by Yoruba loyalty. Even our own Wole Soyinka Suffered for Biafra. Please let us be magnanimous when we criticise others. And what happens to Nigerians with dual/mixed parentage? Our ethnic bigotry must be tearing them apart. Long live Nigeria and our brotherhood.
Its a lie. Soyinka never made those statements. Attendants say.
prof is been tribalistic in nature. Igbos are the stronghold of Nigerian economy and the must stand on there fit and actualise their dreams one day. That statement is very wrong to be voiced out by a caliber of person like prof.
When a man wants to remain relevant in public domain, he uses whatever means…! Nobel… does not confer monopoly of sound judgment on anybody! And Soyinka is not an exception! Let’s talk about DEVELOPMENT – which should be our pre-occupation not Soyinka’s rhetorical lectures; Which people have contributed to economic development in Nigeria more than the IGBOS!? Let me tell you Soyinka:an average IGBO man or woman believes in what he or she can earn from his or her legitimate trade than whatever that comes from the so called Nigeria policies…! At your Prof., you should know in a complex society like Nigeria, some many factors influence voting pattern and political behaviour in general. Your analysis is just a mere public stunt!
This is the continuation of the civil war against the Igbo. Every lame reason can be designed to suppress the tribe physically and psychologically. The frustration of Soyinka and his Co tribalists is that the Igbos are naturally dynamic and resilient. Soyinka is indirectly advising the incoming Buhari regime to be vindictive and marginalise the Igbos.
don’t be carried away by your analysis there has never been a time when voting pattern in Nigeria is void of tribal undertones, so my brother it is unfair not to take us seriously for our choice in the election meanwhile every politician has his own bad records including buhari. that is Nigeria for you, but pushing us away is only to confirm our fears of being marginalized if a Southerner is not in position and what would you expect in the next election . tribal undertones again and again
Why can an old man talk that way when we seek peace and unity in Nigeria? As an Hausa man i respect Igbos free choice Yorubas own an Hausas. Who will not vote for Stomach if the Stomach is empty. Soyinka is very uppish with his wahala Nobel title. Let us chair love please.
The first executed armed robber in Nigeria is from Soyinka’s tribe, Yoruba. The most disgraced govt personnel due to corruption is the Inspector Gen. of Police who stole 17 billion naira under 2yrs is a Yoruba man. How many people were sacked during Obasanjo’s regime due to corruption? The saying that Igbo people love money is a myth, employ a Yorubaman in your business and he schemes you out of the business or brings it down. They don’t work where they can’t steal money. That this man went as far as America to discredit the hard working, industrious and republican Igbo people for voting according to their individual conscience rather than ethnic agenda, is quite unfortunate. Igbos beware of these snakes.
It is really sad that an elder’s statesman could make such a statement. The truth about nigeria is we dont love ourselves. We are too tribalistic. He voted his choice of candidate without anyone criticising his choice but thought it wise to criticise another’s choice. It is either we change our attitudes as nigerians or we continue to go round in circle.
Prof, I beg to totally disagree on this, Why the hate against the Igbos? Your speech seem to be rooted on issues that are far before the 2015 elections. You saw Buhari as the lesser of the two evils; good for you. This is democracy and the Igbos have a right to vote for who they want. You said they are predictable very good for them. What of the tribes that are not predictable; will a wise man choose the former or latter? How dare you castigate them for not voting for the lesser evil, How dare you castigate this hardworking people. Even in Ist world democracies there are states known to vote a particular party or individual as it arises. You do not have monopoly of knowledge sir, I respect your achievements but I say you are tribalistic and your statement is rooted on issues you are yet to make clear.
Mr Soyinka is just acting out of the real truth. He should be humble enough to accept his mistake by making such volatile comment. Anyways, I believe he is also after his own stomach too. I bet, he’s an unrepentant tribalist too.
I love prof. to answer, the following questions, 1, did the ibos vote abiola in 1993 based on their stomach, 2, do u mean that the Yorubas voted Jonathan in 2011 based on their stomach. 3, why did the Yorubas voted against obasanjo in 1999 and ibos voted for him. 4, ibos and Hausas can be predicted but the Yorubas cannot why? well, a lawmaker in United kingdom said that if there is a Yoruba tribe in u.k there won’t be any nation called u.k. the only man of God who prophesied about Jonathan losing the election was from the igbo extraction while the Yoruba prophets were busy prophecing the fulfilment of their stomach.
See poor comprehension skills on display, even after the Prof. cam out to issue a denial of the said statement. I think some people just want to fight, so any reason will do.
well well well i just want 2 inform evry1 on ds site dat d prof has debunk d statement credited 2 him and went ahead nd said dat any1 to have belief he said so s a morron big time moron.pls u people need 2 b updated
Over to you The Cable. Do you stand by your story? if so provide evidence of Prof Soyinka’s comments. Perhaps an audio or video recording.
WRITING STYLE IS NOT SOYINKA,PLS.
Anyone who has followed Soyinka’s over the years would know by now know that he would never have said such thrash about the Igbos. The esteemed prof is still one of the very sane minds around.
Soyinka: I never attacked Igbo over election… whoever believes I did is a moron
THAT IS WHAT THE TITLE SAYS. CAN PEOPLE READ THE STORY BEFORE COMMENTING? MANY ARE JUST TOO LAZY TO READ BUT SO FAST TO COMMENT. IF YOUR COMMENT DOESNT ALIGN WITH WHAT HE HAS SAID, I AM SURE YOU NEED TO EXAMINE YOURSELF VERY WELL. THERE IS A PROBLEM REQUIRING ATTENTION. IF SOYINKA DIDNT SAY THAT AND YOU CONTINUE TO COMMENT ON WHAT HE DIDNT SAY, YOU NEED TO BE CHECKED. I HAVE A LOT OF SOUND, HIGHLY CEREBRAL FRIENDS FROM THE SOUTH EAST, THEY DIDNT EVEN BAT AN EYELID BEFORE PROF DENIED THIS. IT WASNT BECAUSE THEY DIDNT BELIEVE IT BUT BECAUSE THEY WERE FAR BIGGER THAN PEOPLE WHO WOULD VOTE FOR MONETARY CONSIDERATION OVER THEIR CONSCIENCE. IT IS NOT EVERYONE WHO VOTED GMB THAT TRULY LOVED NIGERIA. SOME DID FOR MONEY. IN LIKE MANNER, SOME PEOPLE VOTED FOR GEJ BECAUSE THEY BELIEVED IN HIM, NOT BECAUSE THEY HAVE GOT MONEY OR COULD EVER GET MONEY FROM HIM. EVERY TRIBE IN NIGERIA HAS THE GOOD, THE BAD, THE UGLY AND THE VERY UGLY. YOU CAN DETERMINE WHERE YOU STAND. WE NEED TO ELIMINATE SOME STEREOTYPES FROM AMONG US, ELSE WE MAY RISK BEING CLASSIFIED IN THE CATEGORY OF THE UNEDUCATED, UNLETTERED, ILL-LETTERED AND THE ILL-MANNERED.
Your comment..I think Soyinka denying ever making the statement is not enough, he should tell us what he said about the Igbos when he was delivering that lecture for us to know that he was misquoted.
Your comment. The mighty has fallen, so sorry Wole.
Is there anyone on earth that doesn’t like money? I am getting real tired of people especially the Yoruba castigating the IGBOs for their hard work to make money. The Yoruba’s and Hausa/Fulani’s in Nigeria can only make huge money thorough politics or political connections. They are likely to be awarded contracts and oil wells than the IGBOs in Nigeria. The IGBOs have to survive by any means necessary. We cannot be slaves as slavery is not in our DNA. We have to survive and do not owe anyone, groups, or associations any explanations. Wole Soyinka is entitled to his opinions and Ndigbo are entitled to vote for whomever. Wole Soyinka said that Buhari is the better evil and I am sure he has good reasons for saying that. He must on the other hand respect Ndigbo to defer from his opinions. They preferred Goodluck Jonathan as the better evil and I am sure they equally have good reasons for saying that.