In an interview with a popular magazine, Soyinka revealed that he was not only on the sect's assassination list but very close to the top.
Soyinka said he had reported this to the security operatives in the country and they confirmed the information but he expressed disappointment that the security operatives have not taken action on the threat.
He said: "The reason for this programme (elimination) which I know is very much their third phase, is that those pushing this agenda know very well that this could be the last straw that will break the camel's back.
"And they would rather this country broke up and possibly in an inferno than continue to accept the loss, even though temporal loss of power in this country. For these people, government is the only business around."
The Nobel laureate said he was not against dialogue but the Boko Haram sect did not make public their demands so that they could sit at a round table with government.
He said dialogue did not require a group to constitute itself into a terror, stating that PRONACO which he joined during former President Obasanjo's administration successfully organised its conference, amended the constitution of Nigeria and presented the document to the government without violence.
Soyinka said he could not be cowed into submission by the Boko Haram or any other violent group, stressing: "I believe that one should not beg for existence. If the price of not coming to table is that you want to eliminate me, and you can do so, please do so. I am 77.
"Please, come to the debating table, but you will not persuade me simply because you have the capacity to blow me and my family up. You can simply go ahead, blow us up if you think that is the way you can do your conversation. But you will not bomb me to sit with you at table."
Soyinka said President Jonathan was underestimating the desperation of the forces behind the Boko Haram sect not considering the Islamic struggle in countries like Iraq where fundamentalist Islamic groups attack one another even in their sanctuary of worship and they retaliate with higher casualty figure.
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This is too sad...
ReplyDeleteWho else is on the Boko Haram list for elimination?
ReplyDeletegboko haram are not qualified to sit on a round table with the Federal Government of Nigeria. They should by now know that no Nigerian are afraid of death any more- yes there could be pains when there is lose of human being but not afraid. gboko haram are a bunch of cowards operating in shadows.They are animals in human structure. I know their end is at hand.
ReplyDeleteOga prof, how did you get to know this and how can one access this document so as to know whether my name is not included.Am ready to die for just course if the forces behind boko haram think they can intimidate everyone into submission,its a lie that has been told.When everybody is ready to die like me and you there will be nothing like boko haram.
ReplyDeleteNo body will die.They will be the one to die.Their end is around.They(Boko-Haram) cowards hiding under thin cover.They are everywhere,in govt,military,police,national assemblies,religion sects,just everywhere!God has finished plan to disgrace them.Prayers are going on!Soon,all shall be blown out.Watch out!
ReplyDeleteGod will help u and your family will be invisible for them.
ReplyDeletehonestly this is say. The breath in human is from God so how can one beg your fellow human being for living? let them do their worst for there is an end to every journey in life no matter how long, my honourble Prof.the Lord is your Sherphered, you shall not want, He maketh you to lie down in green pasture, He leaded you beside the still waters He restoreth your soul, yeah though you walk through the valley of the shadow of death you will fear no evil, for though at with you the rod and the staff, they comforth you, though preparest a table before you in the presence of your enemy, thou anoited your head with oil your cup over flow, for surely goodness and mercy shall follow you all the days of your life and you shall dwell in the house of the Lord, for ever and ever amen... you shall not die but live to declare the glory of the Lord thus says the Lord of Host...
ReplyDeleteMay GOD help us.
ReplyDeleteHow many Nigerians can sincerely say what prof. Soyinka said? Prof. has this kind of mentality simply because he has foreign exposure. He has dwelled abroad and he knows how things work.
ReplyDeleteThe Nigerian leaders know what to do if really they want things to work. What is 'Boko Haram' or kidnapping? Calling their members for dialogue indicates that they are recognised or feared. Here in the America or Canada or Britain, government does not give in for things like this. In here there are no armed robbers just like we have in Nigeria. The reason is that everyone is ready to fight and defend themselves before law enforcement agent comes in. If armed robbers know that if they attack anyone, people will retaliate, am sure they will have a rethink. I think the society we live in is itself a stealing and corrupt society, if not an armed robber should not live long before being caught or dealt with. I think the society encourages them. We are too fearful. Those who die first in war are those who fear. If there is stealing going on in the next neighbourhood, people might not help their neighbours simply because it does not affect them. We cannot make progress by doing this. In America, no one can go and attack anyone just the way it is done in Nigeria and the person will go free. No way. Everyone will face the thieves and when thieves know this, they will stay away from trouble. If Nigerians are as bold as professor Soyinka, then they will live long and be fulfilled. In the past, they have tried severally to kill the man and he survived all his enemies. I pray in the name of God, you and others like myself will survive all the members of 'Boro Haram' and its affiliates.
What a country? We will deliver ourself only when we are ready.
Book Haram issue is temporary but a precedent that will be sustained for a long time. When it is Northerners' turn to rule, the Southern elements that are the likes of Boko Haram will emerge to make the Nation ungovernable alike. That is the time they will have reason to canvass for resource control, true federalism, elimination of quota basis but merit platform among others and at the end, we shall result to the long canvassed Sovereign Conference. The Yorubas foresaw this a long time ago but was not taking serious. My advice to Boko Haram and their sponsors is that the battle they are fighting is already lost as what they stand against will as a result of their barbaric extremism.
ReplyDeleteBook Haram loyalists, if your God is alive, why not pray to him to fight your cause? Have you forgotten how God fought for the Israelites against the Pharaos in the red sea? The Almighty God can destroy you without arms or bombs if HE knows you are working against HIS will. Just be careful. A child of God should know that God will never give you power to kill HIS creature and your position that you will go to heaven when you kill because of Allah is deceitful and can never be true. Sit down and imagine this position. Non Muslims never fight you because you are a Muslim. Why should you fight because they refused to start Arabic school to learn other persons language in order to be your member. Why can't you live in peace with others and allow God to judge at the end. It is even better that you do not persuade others to join you so that the food in heaven can be enough for you if actually you are going there. God will soon react if you fail to withdraw. Trust HIM by the prayers of the Saints.
ReplyDeleteCOUNT DOWN TO THE END OF BOKO HARAM IN NIGERIA!!!
ReplyDeleteso u pple stil tink BH are muslims. they are terrorist sponsored by US and its allies to infilterate trouble so that they can have reason to import their armies to cause more terrorism that will gradually degenerate to civil war so that our oil can be free for them. this is because middle east is awakening. lets be wise & prayerful and stop acusing any tribe/religion.
ReplyDeleteMy dear stop deceiving yourself. Was it the US that sponsored our police and military that always allow key suspects to escape? And by whose name do they perpetuate their mayhem? Or would u blow yourself up if your family would be given 1 billion naira? There is a deep religious indoctrination here! These person like Abu Quqa is even a Nigerian and their attacks are planned by Nigerians! The key sponsors are the northern elite who are making good on their promise to make Nigeria ungovernable. Your enemy is at your BACKYARD, not OVERSEAS!!
ReplyDeletefear not he that can kill the body but can not kill ur soul the bible said they are evil doers and soon they will all be srike down by heavy thunder in the cause of planing evil sroke attempt on innocents peoples live fg do not dialogue let them say to d public their demand no round table
ReplyDeleteThe anonymous Nigerian in diaspora has spoken. Prayers are ongoing and I strongly believe that BH will fall really hard. They have spilled enough innocent blood and the blood of the innocent is crying against them. BH is made up of individuals in higher offices, Who are they kidding? Nigerians have grown wiser and from the comments made here it shows that we are not falling for the socalled JIHAD claims. This is all political crap!Call for dialogue? Why!?
ReplyDeleteWell spoken sir/ma,let them say to the public their demands. Why the hell should FG engage in dialogue with terrorists.