NEWS
Soyinka Criticizes Obi’s Leadership Potential, Calls For Restraint In Next Election
Renowned Nobel Laureate Prof Wole Soyinka has weighed in on the political landscape, expressing his hopes that former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi will abstain from contesting in the upcoming election.
Speaking in an interview with Noble Nigeria, Soyinka criticized the leadership of the Labour Party during the previous election, suggesting their governance capabilities were lacking.
He went on to accuse Obi of wielding influence over online trolls who targeted him and other key figures critical of the party’s campaign strategies.
Soyinka’s comments come amidst ongoing tensions, as he faced sustained insults from Obi’s supporters, dubbed ‘Obidients,’ particularly on social media platforms.
He said, “It has to do with education. I didn’t read all these (insults by Obidient Movement) but of course, some links were sent to me, especially when facts were ‘being manufactured’.
“When I read these things, I was disgusted. There’s no other word for it. I really was disgusted and I know that it was orchestrated.
“I know that there is a relay mechanism, which is triggered into action by those who control what we call the trolls of the Internet, and so my disgust and contempt. I just went about my business, you know, because nobody, anybody on this earth who thinks they can stop me telling the truth as I see it needs to have his or her head examined. It’s as elementary as that.
“But it is depressing to see those who wanted to be political leaders encouraging that kind of action, that kind of attitude in the youth. And my mind went to the expression, ‘They don’t know what they’re doing’. Those who sow the wind will reap the whirlwind.”
Soyinka, characterizing the online trolls as “foot soldiers,” emphasized that they have been extensively trained in that aspect.
He said, “One of these days, they would be astonished, they would turn on them and teach them a lesson. And so, my attitude was very blasé and it is for me a sad phenomenon, especially for those who want to lead multi-textured (society)- different religions, different ethnic groups, different worldviews – who actually want to preside over such a group as one.
“It means that they have already declared themselves incompetent to lead such an entity.”
When questioned about Peter Obi’s candidacy in the previous election, Soyinka expressed his fervent wish that Obi refrains from expressing interest in the next election.
He underscored his stance by stating, “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.”
On Sunday, Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II presided over the traditional Sallah Durbar in Kano State, following the Eid prayer and sermon at the Kofar Mata Jumu’at Mosque.
Heavy rainfall had necessitated the relocation of the prayer from the usual Eid ground to the mosque.
The event was attended by Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf and several cabinet members. Security was tight, with a combined team of forces ensuring safety.
In a customary display, Emir Sanusi rode back to his palace, pausing along the way to accept greetings from citizens and various groups.
This year’s Durbar took place despite an earlier ban by the Kano State Police Command, which had prohibited Sallah festivities following a joint security meeting.
Governor Yusuf publicly disagreed with the police’s decision, stating he had not been consulted.
The Kano State Government criticized the police for not adhering to the Governor’s directives.
At a press conference, Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice Haruna Isah Dederi condemned the police command’s unilateral decision to ban the festivities, questioning the undermining of the Governor’s authority as the Chief Security Officer of the state.
He said, “I am compelled to ask the question: who is usurping the authority of the Commander-in-Chief. Because some people are dishing out directives to security chiefs in the State so much so that the State Police Commissioner without any consultation with the Chief Security Officer of the State or approval from the State Security Council had issued an order banning Eid-el-Kabir festivities in Kano State.”
Peter Obi, the Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate in the 2023 elections, extended his warm greetings to Muslim faithful as they celebrated the Eid-el-Kabir festival.
In a statement issued by Tanko Yusuf, the Spokesman for the Peter Obi Presidential Campaign Council, Obi urged Muslims to find strength in the teachings of Prophet Ibrahim.
He emphasized the importance of unwavering trust in Allah, courage, and a willingness to make sacrifices for the greater good, qualities exemplified by Prophet Ibrahim.
Obi expressed his hope that the celebration would bring the community closer to Allah and inspire unity and devotion among all believers.
Obi’s message read in part, “My dear Muslim brothers and sisters, as we gather to celebrate Eid-al-Adha, the feast of sacrifice, I want to extend my warmest wishes to you all.
“May this Sallah bring us all closer to Allah, to one another, and our true potential as individuals and as a nation.
“Amid challenges and uncertainties, let us draw strength from our faith and the teachings of the Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him).
“His unwavering trust in Allah, his courage, and his willingness to sacrifice for the greater good are objects of inspiration to us all. As we celebrate, let us strive to be a source of hope, comfort, and support to those around us.
“May Allah accept our prayers, our fasting, and our charity and May He grant us the wisdom to walk in His path, the courage to stand for what is right, and the grace to be a blessing to our communities.”
In the early hours of Sunday, suspected bandits launched a deadly attack on Dudun Doki village in Sokoto State.
The assault, which took place around 1:30 am in the Gwadabawa local government area, resulted in the deaths of over ten villagers and the abduction of numerous others.
More to follow……..
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