Soyinka Dares Baba-Ahmed To One-On-One Interview Challenge On Live Television
Nobel laureate Wole Soyinka has challenged Vice-Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party (LP) Datti Baba-Ahmed to a live national television debate.
In an interview with Channels TV on March 22, Datti stated that the country does not have a president-elect despite the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declaring Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the election winner.
Background
The LP vice presidential candidate stated that Tinubu would lead an unconstitutional government if elected because the APC candidate “has not met legal requirements.”
The interview resulted in criticism from political actors and a N5 million fine for the television station.
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In an interview with Arise TV on Wednesday, Soyinka characterised the remarks as “a kind of do-or-die attitude and provocation” that runs counter to democratic principles.
He added that the LP vice presidential candidate had attempted to “dictate to the supreme court of the nation,” which was unacceptable.
However, Soyinka’s remark has earned him criticism and abuse from “Obidients,” particularly on social media platforms.
Soyinka Dares Baba-Ahmed To One-On-One Interview Challenge On Live Television
In a statement released on Friday, the Nobel laureate condemned the fine imposed on Channels Television for airing the ‘incisive interview’ with the vice presidential candidate of the Labour Party.
Soyinka stated that he was willing to engage Datti or any of the candidates on the platform “on this very point of contention – one-on-one – without the malodorous intervention of media trolls, and with the same interviewer serving as mediator.”
This offer should be taken seriously.
“I must admit that Project NIGERIA has become nearly terminally soul-crushing. Do I continue to believe it? I am no longer certain, but we must eliminate the tyranny of the ignorant and the opportunism of time servers before anything else. On a foundation of ownership interests, there is not much else to engage one.
“Of course, there is always the possibility of a Revolution, provided there is clarity of purpose and acceptance of all risks, including costly mistakes.
However, revolutions are not motivated by speculative power entitlement.
“Regardless, until that time, the structures that ensure just and equitable cohabitation must be protected from partisan appropriation – be it through material inducement, fake news, or verbal terrorism – the latter being the contribution of one who is poised to assume co-leadership of the nation. Revolution is not about embracing the most readily available symbol.
When a symbol does emerge, however, we are still obligated to scrutinise every facet of what is fortunately on offer and to continue to defend our freedoms at every turn.
“Before I depart for – well, the next port of call – I’d like to give the last word to a favourite maverick whose actions matched his words.
I believe we are on opposite sides of the democratic strategic fence in this instance. This now-adopted catchphrase of his remains applicable to all those who seek genuine social transformation: “Your mummu done do!”
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Soyinka also stated that the attacks against him for criticising Datti Yusuf Baba-Ahmed’s insistence that the Supreme Court must rule in the party’s favour validate his earlier statement that fascism was gaining control of the political arena.
It appears that a record discharge of toxic sludge from our infamous smut factory is clogging the streets and sewers of the Republic of Liars. It proves EXACTLY the point that triggered the avalanche! Manifestly, the seeds of nascent fascism in the political arena have matured.
“An atmosphere of fear is being fostered. The refusal to accept corrective criticism, or even divergent perspectives on the same position, has become a badge of honour and a sign of dedication.
What is ultimately at stake is the Truth, and at the most fundamental level of social regulation: when you are a party to a dispute, you do not attempt to intimidate the arbitrator, attempt to dictate the outcome, or impugn, without credible cause, his or her neutrality even before the hearing has begun.
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