ABEOKUTA: Nobel laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, has said he is not yet ready to publicly evaluate the administration of President Bola Tinubu, citing persistent cases of his statements being distorted or misrepresented.
In an interview with BBC News Yoruba published on Facebook on Tuesday, the globally acclaimed writer explained that he preferred to bide his time before commenting on the performance of the current government.
I have been asked that question by many people, Soyinka said in Yoruba. But I don’t want to respond now because whatever one says is often twisted, and I’m tired of that. So, I’ll take my time. When the time is right, I’ll express my opinion in writing.
A known critic of successive Nigerian leaders, Soyinka has consistently spoken out against bad governance and policy failures under different administrations, including those of former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo, Goodluck Jonathan, and the late Muhammadu Buhari.
However, more than two years into President Tinubu’s tenure, the literary icon has yet to issue a formal appraisal of his leadership.
In 2019, Soyinka had criticised Buhari’s government for failing Nigerians, particularly in tackling insecurity.
Two years later, during an interview with Kaftan TV, he remarked that he preferred to avoid discussing Buhari’s regime altogether for the sake of his “sanity.
Meanwhile, Soyinka has also been in the news over the recent revocation of his United States visa. Speaking with BBC Yoruba, the 91-year-old playwright said he had no intention of reapplying, despite being invited to do so by the U.S. Consulate in Lagos.
“If you read their letter, they asked me to bring my passport so they could stamp it as cancelled. I told them they were jokers. Why should I take my passport to those who revoked my visa? They should come to my house and stamp it themselves, he said.
Soyinka added that while he harboured no ill feelings towards the American people, he would not go through the visa process again. If they later realise they made a mistake and want to return my visa, they should bring it to my house. And before they come, they’ll need a visa to enter, he quipped.
Last week, the U.S. Consulate in Lagos confirmed that visa issuance remains a discretionary privilege of the American government.
“Visas are a privilege, not a right, the statement read. Every country, including the United States, reserves the authority to decide who enters its borders. Visas may be revoked at any time when circumstances warrant.
Soyinka made the disclosure about his visa status at a media parley held at Kongi’s Harvest Art Gallery, Freedom Park, Lagos Island, noting that he wanted to clarify matters for those expecting him at events in the U.S.
“I have no visa. I’m obviously banned from the United States. Anyone who wants to see me knows where to find me, he said.
