Soyinka: Buhari should stop exuding false confidence — we want to see action

Wole Soyinka, Nobel laureate, says President Muhammadu Buhari should stop exuding false confidence and speak like a leader who is ready to take action concerning the country’s challenges.

On three separate occasions last week — two recorded interviews and a national broadcast — Buhari spoke on challenges facing the country, stating that his administration is committed to ensuring growth and improved security.

While speaking on News Day, an Arise Television programme, on Monday, Soyinka said the problems of the country can be addressed with the right actions by the leaders.

According to him, Nigeria is on the “edge”, and Buhari needs to move beyond mere talk, and take urgent action to set the country on the right path.

“First of all, he should start talking to people like a leader — and a leader who is awake to the realities of the situation. Then, let us see actions being taken,” he said.

“I’m tired of hearing things like ‘you will see differences in a few weeks’ time’. We are tired of that. He’s got to put his cards on the table and take people into confidence.

“He’s got to stop exuding a false confidence because that kind of confidence is totally false. It is not based on realities, and we’ve got to see an acceleration of actions to retrieve this nation from the very edge.

“It is no longer a problem of the people,; it is a problem of leadership, because the people have shown themselves ready to act, to save their own community.”

Soyinka also said the national assembly and the 36 state governors are not doing much, considering their constitutional responsibilities.

“Members of NASS are not doing enough. If you study the constitution very carefully, you will realise that they have certain powers which they haven’t touched,” he said.

“There are certain areas they can compel this government to act the way it should, and that applies especially to governors — the governors themselves are too timid.”

He warned Nigerians to stop spreading fake news, stressing that it is a way of distorting constructive narratives that can help the people.

“I appeal to people to stop putting words in my mouth. If you think you can pressure me to speak by stealing my identity and putting words in my mouth on social media, you are wasting your time. Not only that, you are acting in a distorting way,” he said.

“At this sensitive time, I must warn Nigerians to stop playing around with such serious issues, otherwise they are going to lose the kind of support they have from people like me.”