Democracy: Baba-Ahmed won’t debate with Soyinka – Labour Party
Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, the Labour Party’s vice-presidential candidate, will not debate Nobel laureate Professor Wole Soyinka, according to the Labour Party.
On Saturday, the party announced this in a statement signed by Yunusa Tanko, the Chief Spokesperson of its Presidential Campaign Council (LP-PCC).
The statement reads, “Like many Nigerians, we are perplexed by the late intervention of our respected Nobel laureate Professor Wole Soyinka in matters pertaining to the flawed 2023 elections. Where had he been all this time?
“Professor Soyinka, who should ordinarily and appropriately be regarded as the conscience of the nation, is now criminalising dissent and taking the side of fraud and injustice!
“Therefore, we state that the Labour Party vice-presidential candidate, Dr. Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, cannot accept Prof. Soyinka’s offer of a public debate, not out of cowardice but for cultural and political reasons.
“Given their age and accomplishment gaps, it is culturally indecent for Datti to sit opposite the 88-year-old global icon and point out his folly to his face, even if the elder deserves it. And there is no political basis for such a challenge, as Professor is not on any of the opposing ballots.
“However, if he can use his influence to bring his preferred candidates, who have resisted debates throughout the campaign, to the studio right now, Datti says he will gladly face them,” Tanko explained.
Remember that the Nobel laureate had previously challenged Baba-Ahmed to a debate on Channels Television about the nation’s democracy.
In a statement titled “Fascism on Course” released on Friday, Soyinka challenged the LP’s vice-presidential candidate to a debate regarding his claims that Nigeria’s democracy will end if Asiwasju Bola Tinubu is sworn in as president on May 29.
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Soyinka had previously stated, “Permit me to take this opportunity to condemn the sanctions imposed on CHANNELS Television, which supported the performance of the LP candidate.
“As stated, I attentively watched the programme – I witnessed the interviewer’s valiant efforts to ensure a fair hearing.
“I am unable to comprehend where the station could be criticized, other than a disposition for injustice. Sustaining this penalty would give pleasure to those who use the Internet as a conduit for their noxious emissions, but believe that others should be silenced.
“If CHANNELS feels up to it, I am willing to engage Mr. Datti – or any candidate of his – on its platform on this very point of contention – one-on-one – without the malodorous intervention of media trolls, and with the same interviewer serving as the mediator.
That offer should be taken seriously, Soyinka had said.
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