Nobel Prize-winning author Wole Soyinka has rejected efforts by Nigerians to dictate when he should assess President Bola Tinubu’s administration. Emphasizing his independence, Soyinka stated on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief that he will share his insights only when he deems it necessary and meaningful, regardless of external pressures or predetermined timelines, including Tinubu’s one-year mark in office. He urged Nigerians not to impose their schedules on him, asserting he will evaluate the government at his discretion.
During an interview, Wole Soyinka humorously remarked, “I had not swallowed an alarm clock,” explaining that he does not feel obligated to assess President Bola Tinubu’s administration simply because a year has passed. He emphasized that he won’t rush to make an evaluation if he feels there is nothing significant to discuss. Soyinka visited Tinubu at his Lagos residence on December 24, 2023, and reiterated that he would reserve judgment on the administration until a full year has elapsed since its start on May 29, 2023. He criticized the expectation for him to publicly assess the government at a specific time, arguing that political evaluation should be a collective effort, referencing the consistent advocacy of others like the Falanas and Sowore. Soyinka concluded that if he is called upon when he is available, he will respond, but he won’t conform to arbitrary timelines for evaluation.