Nobel Laureate, Wole Soyinka has said that both President Goodluck Jonathan and Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress (APC) are “problematic candidates”.
The renowned playwright also said, during an interview with BBC, that Nigeria should have come up with far better options for its Presidency.
“There is a huge albatross hanging [around] the necks of the two main candidates. I can understand the dilemma which many voters have,” Professor Soyinka said, adding that Jonathan is plagued by the present, while Buhari is plagued by the past.
Soyinka also spoke on the abducted Chibok girls saying "what happened was a clear failure of leadership - a slow reaction, an inadequate reaction and response," with regards to the failure of the government to rescue them.
"Buhari and his partner General Tunde Idiagbon, after [former military head of state] Sani Abacha, I think they represented the most brutal face of military dictatorship. There is no question about that," the Nobel Laureate said.
"But the environment changes, circumstances change and… I look at the possibility of a genuine internal transformation in some individuals. I've been disappointed before and we must always be ready to be disappointed again," he added.
“Nigerians should be prepared to deal with any new betrayal by any ruler with the same passion and commitment…. as they did with Sani Abacha because we cannot continue this cycle of repetitious evil and irresponsibility,” Soyinka continued.
He also urged Nigerians to prepare "go back to the trenches" and stand up against misrule, no matter who the winner of the election is.
The general elections were ordinarily scheduled to hold on February 14 and 28 but have now been postponed till March 28 and April 11.
The renowned playwright also said, during an interview with BBC, that Nigeria should have come up with far better options for its Presidency.
“There is a huge albatross hanging [around] the necks of the two main candidates. I can understand the dilemma which many voters have,” Professor Soyinka said, adding that Jonathan is plagued by the present, while Buhari is plagued by the past.
Soyinka also spoke on the abducted Chibok girls saying "what happened was a clear failure of leadership - a slow reaction, an inadequate reaction and response," with regards to the failure of the government to rescue them.
"Buhari and his partner General Tunde Idiagbon, after [former military head of state] Sani Abacha, I think they represented the most brutal face of military dictatorship. There is no question about that," the Nobel Laureate said.
"But the environment changes, circumstances change and… I look at the possibility of a genuine internal transformation in some individuals. I've been disappointed before and we must always be ready to be disappointed again," he added.
“Nigerians should be prepared to deal with any new betrayal by any ruler with the same passion and commitment…. as they did with Sani Abacha because we cannot continue this cycle of repetitious evil and irresponsibility,” Soyinka continued.
He also urged Nigerians to prepare "go back to the trenches" and stand up against misrule, no matter who the winner of the election is.
The general elections were ordinarily scheduled to hold on February 14 and 28 but have now been postponed till March 28 and April 11.
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