‘Selective witch-hunt’ — group tackles Soyinka over comments on Datti

A group known as Free Nigeria Movement (FNM) says Wole Soyinka has “betrayed” the trust of Nigerians.

The group was reacting to the recent comments by the Nobel laureate.

Last Wednesday, while speaking in an interview on Arise TV, Soyinka said the demand by Datti Baba-Ahmed, vice-presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), that Bola Tinubu, President-elect, should not be sworn in, was a “fascist language”.

In March, Baba-Ahmed had said the country has no president-elect and that Tinubu would be leading an unconstitutional government if sworn into office because the APC candidate “has not met requirements of the law”.

Soyinka said Baba-Ahmed’s remarks were a “kind of do-or-die attitude and provocation” that were contrary to democratic disposition.

Addressing a media conference on Monday, Moses Paul, convener of FNM, said Soyinka should have addressed the “real issues” about the presidential election.

“The recent comments by Wole Soyinka are most unfortunate and regrettable,” Paul said.

“While we do not frown at his remarks because of any politicians, political parties, or movements referenced, we do so because of his emotionless detour from the real issues of the election to pursue what appears as a selective witch-hunt.

“It is on record that Wole Soyinka never condemned the shameless episode of ethnic profiling, instigation, and hate speech by elements such as Musiliu Akinsanya (a.k.a MC Oluomo), Bayo Ononuga, Femi Fani – Kayode, and a host of other atrocious persons. Or are their actions not fascist?

“Nor did he condemn Mahmoud Yakubu’s insistence on flouting INEC’s guidelines, the electoral act, and his rush to declare a winner. It is sad that when it mattered that the voice of our dear prof (Soyinka) whose books and thoughts formed the base of academic pursuit by some should breathe reason on the polity, he chose to stand with the oppressor in a burning house enjoying a rat chase.”

The group said Soyinka should be a father to all Nigerians irrespective of ethnicity, religion, party, or social affiliations.

“However, he has betrayed the trust of many Nigerians who before now hold him in high esteem. We, therefore, call for the boycott of his books, articles, events, and all public engagements that celebrate his literary achievements which as of today do not recognize the well-being of the ordinary Nigerian. We need role models and not sell-outs.”

The group also said the presidential election was compromised because it did not reflect the wishes of Nigerians.

“Hardly can any Nigerian alive deny that the outcome of the presidential election did not represent the will of the Nigerian people or amount to an abuse of their suffrage,” the group said.

“We all know the truth. But why are we not saying a thing about it? What most Nigerians do not understand is that the people perpetrating this evil against our country are deliberate and desperate. Their path is laid before them and power is their ultimate source of livelihood.”