Wole Soyinka Declines to Judge Tinubu’s Government, Says His Words Are Often Twisted

Nobel laureate Professor Wole Soyinka says he is not yet ready to publicly evaluate President Bola Tinubu’s administration, citing the frequent distortion of his past statements.

In an interview with BBC News Yoruba published on Facebook on Tuesday, the renowned playwright and activist explained that he prefers to take his time before sharing his opinion. Speaking in Yoruba, Soyinka said, “I have been asked that question by many people. I don’t want to answer because it seems that whatever one says will be twisted, and I am tired of that. I’ll express my view when the time is right.”

Known for his outspokenness and criticism of successive Nigerian governments, Soyinka has remained silent on Tinubu’s administration more than two years after it began. Over the years, he has openly criticised former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo, Goodluck Jonathan and Muhammadu Buhari. In 2019, he condemned Buhari’s government for failing to secure the nation, and in a 2021 interview with Kaftan TV, he said it was best for his sanity to avoid discussing that administration entirely.

The 91-year-old writer also addressed his recent visa controversy with the United States. He revealed that the US Embassy in Lagos revoked his B1/B2 visa and later requested that he bring in his passport for them to stamp the cancellation — a request he found absurd.

“If you read the letter they sent, they said I should bring my passport so they can stamp it to show it has been cancelled. I told them to come to my house and do it themselves,” he said. “I’m not fighting the American people. If they later realise they made a mistake and want to return my visa, they can bring it to my house — but they’ll need a visa to enter.”

During a media briefing at Kongi’s Harvest Art Gallery, Freedom Park, Lagos, Soyinka said he felt the need to clarify the situation publicly so that those expecting him at events abroad would not be misled. He added that he had not been given any reason for the visa revocation, though he has long been a vocal critic of former US President Donald Trump.

Responding to the development, the US Consulate in Lagos reaffirmed that visas are privileges, not rights, and may be revoked at any time at the discretion of the US government. The Consulate stated, “Every country, including the United States, has the authority to determine who enters its borders. Visas may be revoked at any time whenever circumstances warrant.”