[quote author=Bobloco post=131323864]Nobel laureate Prof. Wole Soyinka has slammed President Bola Tinubu’s nationwide address to Nigerians regarding the ongoing protests across the country.

In a statement released on Sunday, Soyinka expressed his disappointment and concern over the government’s handling of the protests.

Soyinka noted that the presidential address outlined the government’s remedial actions since inception but fell short in addressing the way the protest was managed.

He condemned the use of live bullets and tear gas against peaceful protesters, describing it as a “retrogression” that takes the nation back to colonial-era acts of disdain.

Soyinka said, “I set my alarm clock for this morning to ensure that I did not miss President Bola Tinubu’s impatiently awaited address to the nation on the current unrest across the nation.

“His outline of government’s remedial action since inception, aimed at warding off just such an outbreak, will undoubtedly receive expert and sustained attention both for effectiveness and in content analysis. My primary concern, quite predictably, is the continuing deterioration of the state’s seizure of protest management, an area in which the presidential address fell conspicuously short.

“Such short-changing of civic deserving, regrettably, goes to arm the security forces in the exercise of impunity and condemns the nation to a seemingly unbreakable cycle of resentment and reprisals.

“Live bullets as state response to civic protest – that becomes the core issue. Even tear gas remains questionable in most circumstances, certainly an abuse in situations of clearly peaceful protest. Hunger marches constitute a universal S.O.S, not peculiar to the Nigerian nation. They belong indeed in a class of their own, never mind the collateral claims emblazoned on posters.

“They serve as summons to governance that a breaking point has been reached and thus, a testing ground for governance awareness of public desperation. The tragic response to the ongoing hunger marches in parts of the nation, and for which notice was served, constitutes a retrogression that takes the nation even further back than the deadly culmination of the watershed ENDSARS protests.

“It evokes pre-independence – that is, colonial – acts of disdain, a passage that induced the late stage pioneer Hubert Ogunde’s folk opera BREAD AND BULLETS, earning that nationalist serial persecution and proscription by the colonial government.”

Soyinka noted that the “nation’s security agencies cannot pretend unawareness of alternative models for emulation, civilized advances in security intervention”.

He said, “Need we recall the nationwide 2022/23 editions of what is generally known as the YELLOW VEST movement in France? Perhaps it is time to make such scenarios compulsory viewing in policing curriculum. In all of the coverage that I watched, I did not catch one single instance of a gun leveled at protesters, much less fired at them even during direct physical confrontations.

“The serving of bullets where bread is pleaded is ominous retrogression, and we know what that eventually proves – a prelude to far more desperate upheavals, not excluding revolutions.

“The time is long overdue, surely, to abandon, permanently, the anachronistic resort to lethal means by the security agencies of governance. No nation is so under-developed, materially impoverished, or simply internally insecure as to lack the will to set an example. All it takes is to recall its own history, then exercise the will to commence a lasting transformation, inserting a break in the chain of lethal responses against civic society.

“Today’s marchers may wish to consider adopting the key songs of Hubert Ogunde’s BREAD AND BULLETS, if only to inculcate a sense of shame in the continuing failure to transcend the lure of colonial inheritance where we all were at the receiving end. One way or the othetinubu’svicious cycle must be broken."

https://politicsnigeria.com/breaking-soyinka-slams-president-tinubus-address-response-to-protests/

God de see everything wey de sup

This man’s grammar always gives me headache to read.

But I still love the great man.

He made good points, as expected of a social crusader of his stature.

Kushites:
This man’s grammar always gives me headache to read.

But I still love the great man.

Walahi, this is the prof I respect. He is now free from emilokanism.

The spell is off his eyes.

.
I repeat. Nobody should fall for this gimmick.
.

Prof. Soyinka should recognize that governance is a complex task. Tinubu inherited a myriad of challenges, and while the approach may seem harsh, the priority is restoring order. We must support constructive dialogue rather than resorting to blame. A nation can only thrive when we unite for solutions, not division.

Soyinka the tribalistic hypocrite

Media don dey twist this man comments.

So painful

Remman:
Media don dey twist this man comments.

Shebi you under English ni?

His miscreants brothers are coming for him.

Nigerians should focus on the progress being made rather than just the negatives. Tinubu has inherited a complex situation, and while mistakes can happen, it's crucial we support him in navigating these turbulent waters. Change takes time, and I believe he's committed to improving the nation for all. Let's give him the chance to deliver.

His silence was too loud, too long. And now grammar? There is God o!

He should keep quiet abeg.

Khallicopyro:
His silence was too loud, too long. And now grammar? There is God o!

You will understand everything if you read it carefully.

savenaijatoday:

Walahi, this is the prof I respect. He is now free from emilokanism.

So you Obidients no longer hate him and will not abuse him because of this. Obidients are so fickle.

It's clear some people just can't let go of their bitterness.

While they cry over bullets, Tinubu is busy making tough decisions that some of us know are necessary. Meanwhile, what's Obi doing? Just sitting back and throwing shade like a professional critic.

Kushites:
This man’s grammar always gives me headache to read.

But I still love the great man.

He made good points, as expected of a social crusader of his stature.

ajeh i dey always keep my dic near me when i wan read anything wey the op the talk

Old man go and sleep
Nobody listens to you and your senseless talk anymore

Hope Pandora and his online eastern nuisances are happy now?? People their lives depends on the affairs of southwest!

Prof. Soyinka’s theatrics never cease to amaze.

The narrative is always skewed when it comes to leadership. What about the strides being made in agriculture and food security? Let's not forget that every administration faces challenges. Tinubu is not a magician, but he’s certainly working to uplift the nation.

Chinkoalhaji34:
It's clear some people just can't let go of their bitterness.

While they cry over bullets, Tinubu is busy making tough decisions that some of us know are necessary. Meanwhile, what's Obi doing? Just sitting back and throwing shade like a professional critic.

How old are you again?

Mrfixitt:
Soyinka the tribalistic hypocrite

shut d fvck... everyone no be like your useless father

TeamLeader112:
I've been smiling to the bank since i joined this platform. You don't have any reason to be poor in this Internet age.
Click the link below
https://apexmonkeytrades.com/?ref=MySpaceNG

share your family members the link.

I’m sure some of them are hungry

Those that didn't vote for tinibu are not disappointed a notorious drug lord can never give u real freedom.

Prof. Soyinka should focus on reality instead of spreading false narratives. President TINUBU is dedicated to the welfare of Nigerians, and it's time to acknowledge the efforts being made rather than fueling unnecessary drama.

Agba cvltist
You already soiled your name and rubbish your reputation, no one takes you serious anymore

Until you come out and protest against tilinbu the manner you did Jonathan in 2014, otherwise stfu

aswani:


So you Obidients no longer hate him and will not abuse him because of this. Obidients are so fickle.

shut up......nobody hates anybody here....if someone talks about another incompetence, una go talk say them d insult am....d more reason I like Igbos....they will always tell u d truth no matter who's involved

Who cares about whatever he says, he is talking to Ronus