NOBEL LAUREATE, Professor Wole Soyinka has warned of dire consequences for the country should the crisis in Rivers State be allowed to degenerate beyond this.
Professor Soyinka, in a statement stated that “even after the Rivers crisis has been resolved, this notorious proceeding will not be permitted to fester unchallenged.”
Making reference to the election of Nigerian Governors’ Forum, NGF, he said “before the press conference held by Femi Falana and myself – that is, even before the Rivers Assembly fracas – I had been canvassed by opposing sides of the face-off, both via telephone and physically. One such visit, perhaps the most significant, was made by a Special Adviser in the presidency who outlined what can be regarded as the official rationale for the Governors’ Forum election debacle. In the process of this exchange, he did make certain complaints against Governor Rotimi Amaechi, including charges of a conflict of interests over certain resources. This was implied as the root of division between the Governors’ Forum and the Presidency.”
While he condemned the fracas that ensued in the Rivers State House of Assembly, he described the development as impunity.
He said “Keyed into this core are: the arithmetics of democracy involved in figures 16 and 19 at the time, and now, with increased confidence in impunity, the figures 27 and 5. Whether or not it is democratic, even cultured proceeding that a state governor is barred from public access anywhere within his own zone of constitutional authority, with the massive security apparatus of the centre, on behalf of an unelected individual.”
“For the rest, since beneath the surface of most Nigerian conflicts will be found inordinate greed for public resources, it is perhaps pertinent to remind ourselves that oil is not the only marvel to emerge from the Delta swamps. There are also exotic creatures – mermaids, manatees, even mammy watas and hippopotami. However, unlike crude oil, which can be refined, you can extract a hippopotamus from the swamps, but you cannot take the swamp out of the hippopotamus”, he stated.
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Gosh,I jst luv and admire this man!this is intelligence at its peak...luv him or hate him,soyinka remains one of d best nigeria has eva produced.He who has ears let him hear.the elders have spoken
ReplyDeleteEeya prof! Evans Bipi no understand english reach where u dey go so oo na " it was it was and other common repitions bros dey understand.
ReplyDeleteKONGI MASTER, pls come to the LEVEL of the MILITANTS/tout wey dey RSHA. Even MADAM "PRESIDENT" no understand Ur POINT of VIEW. Them no UNDERSTAND at all SIR. LLKM in GOOD HEALTH.
ReplyDeleteEL-MATOSKY.
KONGI MASTER, pls come to the LEVEL of the MILITANTS/tout wey dey RSHA. Even MADAM "PRESIDENT" no understand Ur POINT of VIEW. Dem no UNDERSTAND at all SIR. LLKM in GOOD HEALTH.
ReplyDeleteEL-MATOSKY.
"Mammy water" n "Hippopotami". Hmmmm.....Dame Jonah, read btw d lines.
ReplyDeleteLet this man go sit down if he want to joint politics let him talk i know he want to join APC...apart frm the name he get and the book he produce what has he done for the development of this country i know him for critisizing.....let him contex as a president and know what he will do...he is popular let him proof himself let him not condem those who are in power today u may be there tomorow ur own will be worst
ReplyDeleteAt least he has a name while yours remains anonymous. He has written at least a book all you have is a lousy comment with annoying spellings and terrible grammar. And you dare put forward your thoughts to the public. People like you can never ever know the truth even if it was hugging you. your best allies are myopic sentiments and mediocrity.
DeleteYou don't realize how stupid you sound! Must Wole be part of politics to make an impact? Do you know he has always in the fight for democracy right from wen you were still in dipers? That you can post ssuch rubbish freely on the internet without harassment, is due to people like him; so have some respect for elders wen they talk, even if you don't agree with their views.
DeleteHe doesn't need to be in politics. There are people called the conscience. These are people that when you think about their comments or criticism, you will think twice before doing what you want to do. Soyinka is one, Achebe was one too. If we do not have constructive criticisms ( I do not mean those from loud-mouthed opposition groups), we may not be able to make a headway.
DeleteThis man is old let him go nd sit in his home and relax for all the books he has produce....did u want to join politics?
ReplyDeleteShame on you! U can't even express yourself in good English and you criticize someone whose name will forever be written in the sands of time while yours will not even be worth considering for a notepad! Go pour sand on your head and mourn for your future generations.
DeleteGbenga pls tell them. I wonder how these dudes feel when they read their comments especially when they are directed at an English don. N
DeleteRetard, pour ashes on your head and mourn to death. If people like Wole Soyinka don't speak out, who will? He is old enough to be your great grand father.
DeleteFor this coment u made...may heaven declare you wanted to.....and all ur family members.....asise ti obuko nse to fin se oko iyare ti ba o lati onilo...amin ma sise lo....both gbenga and the rest
DeleteIn times like this, must we insult our leaders? I ve realised that it is ppl that can't lead their little family size that usually cum out to negatively criticise without proferring d way forward. Learn 2 be constructive in ur criticism.
ReplyDeleteWhy cant u go nd collect soyinka certificate to collect salary in the bank....if u like speak pigin if u like speak egbira coment na coment......rubish people
ReplyDeleteProf doesn't need 2 join politics b4 he can make an impact,he is popular enough 2 mk a difference,if we don't disagre we won't move 4ward.the elders have spoken.
ReplyDelete