Nobel laureate Wole Soyinka has expressed strong opinions regarding the suitability of Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 election, to lead Nigeria. In an interview with Noble Eyisi on Thursday, Soyinka stated that Obi is “unfit” for the presidency.
Reflecting on the 2023 presidential election, where Obi finished third behind Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Soyinka criticized Obi for allegedly encouraging divisive actions among his supporters, commonly referred to as “Obidients.”
“I hope for the sake of the nation that he doesn’t express interest in the next election because for me as a leader, if there was any proof that he was unfit to lead that country, it’s in the conduct which he encouraged among his followers. I know for a fact that he was in control of those forces,” Soyinka stated.
Soyinka further condemned political leaders he described as dishonest, asserting that they were fostering the divisive behaviors exhibited by their supporters. He warned that these actions could backfire: “One of these days, they would turn on them and teach them a lesson.”
Discussing the broader implications of such divisive politics, Soyinka emphasized the importance of education in countering misinformation and hostility. He mentioned receiving numerous links to insults and fabricated facts from Obi’s supporters, but maintained his commitment to speaking the truth as he sees it, regardless of opposition.
“It is depressing to see those who wanted to be political leaders encouraging that kind of action, that kind of attitude in the youth,” Soyinka added, lamenting the impact on Nigeria’s multi-ethnic and multi-religious society. He concluded by questioning the competence of anyone promoting such division to lead a diverse nation like Nigeria.
