Nobel Prize winner Professor Wole Soyinka says he won’t publicly assess President Bola Tinubu’s administration yet, claiming his words are constantly twisted by the media.
In an interview with BBC News Yoruba, the renowned writer and activist explained that he’s tired of seeing his statements misinterpreted and needs more time before sharing his views on the current government.
“I have been asked that question by several people,” Soyinka said in Yoruba.
“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 90-year-old has never been shy about criticizing Nigerian leaders.
He publicly spoke out against former presidents Olusegun Obasanjo, Goodluck Jonathan, and Muhammadu Buhari.
But more than two years into Tinubu’s presidency, Soyinka has stayed silent on his assessment.
During the same interview, Soyinka also addressed the recent cancellation of his US visa, and made it clear he won’t be reapplying.
He said the US Consulate in Lagos asked him to bring his passport so they could stamp the revocation, but he refused.
“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 and stamp it themselves.
I cannot say I’ll be applying again or sitting down to fill out any form.
But if they realize they made a mistake and want to return the visa, they should bring it to my house, and before you come to my house, you will need a visa to enter.”
Soyinka had earlier revealed during a press event in Lagos that his B1/B2 visa was revoked.
The US Mission later clarified that visas are privileges that can be withdrawn at any time at the discretion of the American government.
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