Nigerian Nobel laureate and renowned writer, Wole Soyinka, has lambasted some politicians in the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) for being corrupt and unaccountable. In an interview on Channels Television on Wednesday, Soyinka said that some of the APC members should be facing trial by anti-graft agencies for their involvement in shady deals during their time in office.

Soyinka, who is known for his outspokenness and activism, said he would expose such politicians and demand that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) investigate them.

He said he was not impressed by the APC’s claim to be fighting corruption, as he saw many cases of nepotism, favoritism, and impunity within the party. He also accused the APC of trying to nullify the 2023 presidential election, which he said would be a repeat of the 1993 election annulled by former military ruler, Ibrahim Babangida.

Soyinka’s Respect for Tinubu

Soyinka, however, had some words of praise for one of the APC’s leaders, Bola Tinubu, whom he described as a “doughty fighter” during the anti-Sani Abacha struggle in the 1990s. He said he respected Tinubu’s role in the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO), which campaigned for the restoration of democracy in Nigeria.

He said he would not let Tinubu’s past achievements cloud his judgment on current issues, and that he would not hesitate to criticize him or any other politician if they acted against the public interest. Soyinka said he expected Tinubu to be more vocal and assertive in challenging the excesses and failures of the APC government.

Soyinka’s Call for Change

Soyinka, who won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1986, said he was worried about the state of the nation and the future of democracy in Nigeria. He said he was not satisfied with the performance of the current administration, which he said had failed to deliver on its promises of security, economic growth, and social justice.

He called on Nigerians to demand accountability and transparency from their leaders, and to resist any attempt to manipulate or undermine the electoral process. Soyinka hoped that the 2023 election would be free, fair, and credible, and that Nigerians would elect leaders who would serve the common good.

He also urged Nigerians to be vigilant and proactive in defending their rights and freedoms, and to support the civil society and the media in exposing and challenging corruption and injustice. He said he believed that Nigeria had the potential to overcome its challenges and become a great nation, if only its people and leaders would work together for a common cause.

Source: Vanguard