The Labour Party (LP) has accused Nobel laureate Wole Soyinka of “exhibiting dual character” over his recent comments regarding the party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and the 2023 general elections in Nigeria. The LP issued a statement through its National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh, expressing disagreement with Soyinka’s “prognosis and personal opinion” on the party’s performance in the elections.
Soyinka had alleged during an event titled “The lives of Wole Soyinka—A dialogue” that the leadership of the opposition party, including Peter Obi, was attempting to deceive Nigerians, especially the youth, by claiming that Obi won the presidential election when he did not. The Nobel laureate accused the party of trying to force “a lie” on the Nigerian populace.
In response, the LP stated that the matter is currently before the courts, and out of respect for the judiciary, they would reserve their comments until the Supreme Court makes a final pronouncement. The party emphasized the need to respect the legal process in resolving electoral disputes.
While acknowledging Soyinka’s achievements in the literary world, the LP expressed disappointment in what they perceived as a lack of neutrality on his part. They suggested that his comments may have been influenced by individuals who share particular sentiments. The party also pointed out that issues such as age, name, or certificate forgery, fraud, and other electoral irregularities were prevalent in the 2023 elections but not attributed to the LP.
The LP criticized Soyinka for overlooking alleged irregularities by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and instances of non-compliance with constitutional requirements. They argued that he failed to address issues related to the electoral process and INEC’s role.
In their statement, the LP questioned why Soyinka did not condemn acts of violence, intimidation, and electoral malpractice during the elections, including attacks on their supporters in Lagos. They urged him to exhibit statesmanship and refrain from displaying a dual character influenced by chauvinistic tendencies.
The party concluded by reaffirming its commitment to building a “New Nigeria” and stated that Nigerian youths would continue to work toward realizing this dream.
The dispute between Soyinka and the Labour Party highlights the ongoing tensions and controversies surrounding Nigeria’s recent general elections, which have been subject to scrutiny and legal challenges.
