Wole Soyinka Criticizes President Tinubu for Ignoring His Advice on Presidential Run

Nigeria’s eminent playwright, Professor Wole Soyinka, has disclosed that President Bola Tinubu ignored his counsel against running for the presidency.

During a courtesy visit to Tinubu’s residence in Lagos, Soyinka revealed that he had advised Tinubu not to seek the presidency, a recommendation that was disregarded by the President.

Soyinka expressed his purpose for the visit as a check on Tinubu’s well-being, despite the President’s decision to overlook his earlier advice.

In a statement to reporters after the meeting, Soyinka disclosed that he had presented a comprehensive seven-point agenda to President Tinubu during their discussion, describing the encounter as “embarrassing.”

“I came here with a seven-point agenda. And we had a very thorough discussion on those items,” Soyinka stated.

“Actually, it’s an embarrassing visit because when I visited him the last time, it was to try and persuade him not to run for office.

I told Atiku and himself to please leave the ground so young people could run. That’s the last time we met about five years ago.

So I came to see how he was doing after ignoring my advice. I came to see how both he and his wife were weathering Nigeria, and to wish them a Happy Christmas,” he added.

Soyinka’s revelation regarding his counsel to President Tinubu and the subsequent visit has sparked interest and debate within political circles as Nigeria anticipates the unfolding of Tinubu’s presidency.