Wole Soyinka Explains Delay in Assessing Tinubu Administration

 

Nobel laureate Professor Wole Soyinka has explained why he has yet to issue a public assessment of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, stating that his remarks are frequently misinterpreted and weaponised in political debates.

Speaking during a recent engagement, the literary icon clarified that he does not operate on public timelines or political expectations. According to him, meaningful commentary requires clarity, context, and sincerity, not pressure or public demand.

Soyinka noted that his previous comments on national affairs have often been taken out of context, distorted, or used to advance partisan narratives, prompting his decision to refrain from immediate evaluation of the current government.

 “I will speak when I feel there is something significant to say,” he emphasised, explaining that commentary should emerge from genuine conviction rather than external demands.

The respected playwright stressed that his silence should not be interpreted as approval or disapproval of government actions, but rather as a commitment to accuracy, fairness, and informed reflection.

Soyinka, who has historically played a vocal role in Nigeria’s civic space, reiterated his belief that public intellectuals must contribute responsibly and thoughtfully to national discourse.

As the Tinubu administration continues into its tenure, Soyinka’s stance highlights a broader conversation about the place of independent thought in political evaluation, and the importance of avoiding rushed or politicised judgments in Nigeria’s increasingly heated public arena.

Oriontimes Editorial Note

Soyinka has made it clear that commentary, when delivered, must be rooted in substance and clarity rather than public pressure. His position underscores a vital civic principle: silence can be a deliberate act of responsib

ility, not withdrawal.