Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, has denied
describing Igbo as people who vote based on their
stomach.
Some online media had quoted Soyinka as saying
Igbo were politically naive while delivering a
lecture titled ‘Predicting Nigeria, Electoral Ironies’
at Harvard University Hutchins Centre for African
and African American Research in the United
States.
He was quoted as saying “Igbo remained
unrepentant and resolute towards their strategic
objective of secession at worst; or a Nigerian
president of Igbo extraction at best.”
However, Soyinka said in a statement on Thursday
that it was unfortunate that people could tell lies
against him.
The playwright described those peddling the
rumour as morons who have ulterior motives.
He said his entire lecture delivered at Harvard
University was recorded on video and anyone who
was interested could access it on the Internet.
He said, “I have just read a statement attributed to
me on a news outlet, evidently one of the Internet
infestations. My lecture at the Hutchins Centre,
Harvard University, was video recorded. Anyone
who believes what I am alleged to have said must
be a slowpoke – repeat, a slowpoke.
“It is demeaning, sickening and boring to have to
deal with these cowards who cannot fight their own
battles but must fasten their imbecilic
pronouncements on others. Only the mentally
retarded will credit this comment attributed to me
regarding the Ndigbo voting pattern in the last
elections.
“I strongly suspect the author of this despicable
concoction, and may make a further statement,
once the source is verified.”