Esther Okpe
Dr. Charles Apoki has publicly criticized Nobel Laureate Prof. Wole Soyinka, claiming that his recent remarks about Peter Obi’s competency to lead Nigeria are irrelevant and stating that Soyinka misfired due to benefits received from Tinubu.
Soyinka had suggested that Obi, a prominent political figure, was unfit for the presidency due to the perceived incompetence of his team.
Apoki, however, strongly disagreed with Soyinka’s assessment, calling it a misjudgment and indicating that Soyinka is out of touch with contemporary realities.
“I respect Prof. Soyinka as a Nobel Laureate,” Apoki began, “but he is living in the past and is no longer relevant.”
Apoki emphasized that the current generation is markedly different from previous ones, characterized by a willingness to challenge authority and question established norms.
“This generation will question everything and everyone. They can disgrace, touch, and insult any person regardless of their status,” he stated.
“They don’t care if you are Wole Soyinka or a Nobel Laureate; this generation is disappointed in religion, elders, and politicians of Soyinka’s era.”
Apoki further argued that Soyinka’s past actions undermined his authority to criticize others.
He pointed to Soyinka’s involvement in protests against former President Goodluck Jonathan, where demonstrators carried a coffin draped in Jonathan’s flag, an act that Apoki claims contributed to the stress leading to the death of Jonathan’s mother.
“Soyinka and other leaders were at the forefront of that push against Goodluck Jonathan,” Apoki asserted.
Additionally, Apoki referenced the Pirate Confraternity, an organization Soyinka founded, which has recently come under scrutiny.
He cited a song allegedly sung by members of the Confraternity that mocked Bola Tinubu, questioning Soyinka’s silence on the matter.
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“Your confraternity sang that song against Tinubu. What did you say? Did that disqualify you, Prof. Wole Soyinka, from heading an organization if you were appointed?” Apoki asked rhetorically.
He argued that Peter Obi’s political movement, unlike Soyinka’s confraternity, was not orchestrated by Obi but rather emerged organically from Nigerians frustrated with corruption and stagnation.
“People who were tired of the corruption and backwardness of our nation are the ones who crystallized around Peter Obi,” Apoki noted.
“Prof, you misfired; you are out of touch with reality. You have eaten something that is preventing you from speaking well. I think you benefited from Tinubu one way or the other, either through sponsorship or relationship, because I find it hard to believe that you are a tribal bigot who has degenerated to that level,” He said.
Apoki cautioned Soyinka to be careful with his comments, suggesting that his time of influence has passed. “Your time has passed, and you have retired,” he concluded.
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