Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka Explains Why He Refuses To Judge Tinubu’s Government Yet Despite Mounting Public Pressure

 

Nobel laureate and revered playwright, Professor Wole Soyinka, has made it clear that he has no immediate intention of publicly assessing the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The globally acclaimed writer said he would rather remain silent for now, citing the consistent twisting and misrepresentation of his remarks by the media and the public.

During an interview with BBC News Yoruba, published on Facebook, the 91-year-old intellectual revealed that although many Nigerians have asked him to speak about the Tinubu government, he has chosen restraint as the wiser path. Speaking fluently in Yoruba, Soyinka said his decision stems from repeated experiences where his comments have been distorted, leading to controversies and unnecessary misinterpretations.

He explained that every attempt he has made to share his opinions on national issues has often been politicized or taken out of context, making it impossible for his true message to be heard. “I have been asked that question by several people,” he told his interviewer. “I don’t want to answer because it seems as if there’s nothing one says that won’t be twisted, and I’m tired of that. So, I want to take my time. When it’s time, I will write my view on that.”

The literary icon, who has long been a critical voice in Nigeria’s socio-political discourse, has never hesitated to call out successive governments on issues of corruption, insecurity, and leadership failures. From the military era to democratic rule, Soyinka’s voice has echoed as a moral compass, earning him both admiration and criticism.

Observers note that his decision to withhold judgment on Tinubu’s administration comes as a surprise, especially given his outspoken nature during past administrations. Over two years into the Tinubu government, Soyinka has yet to make any public evaluation or written commentary on the President’s performance.

His past record of public criticism is well-documented. During the tenure of former President Muhammadu Buhari, Soyinka repeatedly accused the government of gross inefficiency, particularly in managing Nigeria’s deepening security challenges. In 2019, he described Buhari’s administration as a disappointment to millions of Nigerians who had hoped for change. Later, in a 2021 interview with Kaftan TV, he said, “I don’t want to talk about Muhammadu Buhari’s administration. I think it is best for my sanity just to avoid that overall question. I can take bits and pieces of Nigeria’s present predicament, but I think for one’s sense of balance, one must forget the existence of the Buhari administration.”

Even before that, Soyinka had publicly disagreed with former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan over issues of governance and accountability. His willingness to speak truth to power has often placed him at the center of national debates, earning him both respect and controversy.

Aside from politics, Soyinka has also been in the headlines for another reason — the recent revocation of his United States visa. The Nobel laureate disclosed during a media parley at Kongi’s Harvest Art Gallery, Freedom Park, Lagos Island, that the US Embassy had withdrawn his B1/B2 visa without explanation. He revealed that the revocation was formally communicated to him through a letter from the embassy.

According to him, the embassy requested that he present his passport for the visa to be physically stamped as cancelled, but he dismissed the idea, saying the request was absurd. “They are jokers,” he said. “I should take my passport to those who revoked my visa? I told them they should come to my house, take the passport themselves, and stamp it.” He added that he has no plans to reapply for a visa or visit the US embassy again.

Despite this, Soyinka clarified that he holds no grudge against the American people and would only reconsider the matter if the US government admits it made a mistake. “If in the future they realise that they made a mistake and ask me to come and take my visa back, I will say they should bring it to my house. And before you come to my house, you will need a visa to enter,” he quipped.

The US Consulate in Lagos, when contacted for clarification, explained that the issuance or revocation of visas remains the prerogative of the American government. “Visas are a privilege, not a right. Every country, including the United States, can determine who enters its borders. Visas may be revoked at any time, at the discretion of the U.S. government, whenever circumstances warrant,” the statement read.

For now, Soyinka appears content to maintain his silence on Nigeria’s current leadership, preferring to observe the unfolding political scene from a distance. However, given his history of candid expression and intellectual activism, many Nigerians believe it is only a matter of time before the Nobel laureate eventually breaks his silence and offers a detailed, written assessment of the Tinubu administration — on his own terms.