He was speaking on the backdrop of his recent public spat with President Goodluck Jonathan’s wife, Dame Patience Jonathan.
And
though the afternoon open-door lecture series tagged “WS79 – Memoirs of
Our Future: An Audience with Prof. Wole Soyinka,” was supposed to be a
commemoration of his birthday, the renowned thespian quickly delved into
familiar terrain as he touched on the subject of the First Lady, her
alleged interference in the affairs of Rivers State and abuse of power.
While
fielding questions from a member of the audience at the event which
held at the African Centre in Covent Garden, London on Saturday, Prof.
Soyinka said he was not afraid to call the First Lady to order and also
enlighten her if she cannot take a cue from how first ladies in other
climes behave.
“People said I call her a domestic appendage, what’s the problem with that? What’s the problem with Madam Shepopotamus?”
Shedding
more light on the lingering political crisis in Rivers State, Soyinka
revealed: “What happened in Rivers began long ago, before five decided
that five was greater than 27. If we don’t move in support of the truth
at certain mathematics, we shouldn’t be surprised if the next
mathematics anomaly takes place at our doorstep.”
He added: “We move when there’s interference, when all roads are closed – for hours – because she’s going to her hairdresser.”
He
warned that if members of the civil society remain indifferent to the
abuse of office perpetrated by the president’s wife in states where she
has visited, then Nigerians should not be surprised when a curfew is
imposed the next time she is visiting their state.
The
Nobel Laureate called on Mrs. Jonathan to borrow a leaf from Michelle,
President Barack Obama’s wife, stating: “We ask unelected people to look
around and see how the Mrs. Michelle Obamas of the world are conducting
themselves,” adding, however, that if the Dames of this world do not
learn, “we must educate them.”
Responding
to a question if he was a friend of the embattled governor of Rivers
State, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi, Soyinka replied: “That Amaechi is my friend
is not an allegation,” because he would be friends with anyone who has
been given the mandate of the people through the electoral process.
He
stressed that he would not shy away from identifying with public office
holders if they are fulfilling their obligations and responsibilities
of governance.
“To
say the Governor of Rivers is my close friend is like saying Kayode
Fayemi or Dr. Babangida Aliyu or Governor Ibikunle Amosun or even the
Second Republic Governor, Mohammed Shugaba, in Shagari’s administration,
is my friend”, he stated.
However,
Prof. Soyinka made it clear that “it’s not a matter of friendship,” but
defence of democracy and truth, noting that he would not be afraid to
switch loyalty if the people he once praised change their ways and start
oppressing the same people who elected them.
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