Soyinka condemns Jonathan’s ‘Impunity’, Likens President To ‘Nebuchadnezzar’

Nobel laureate, Wole Soyinka, has lambasted President Goodluck Jonathan for allowing what he called a reign of impunity, the latest being police siege on the National Assembly.

Mr. Soyinka said the latest action of Suleiman Abba, the Inspector General of Police, against members of the House of Representatives was an “unambiguous” declaration of war against the people.

At a press conference in Lagos he titled King Nebuchadnezzar – The Reign of Impunity, Mr. Soyinka said that the battle line had been drawn and Nigerians must decide whether to submit or resist to the current democratic dispensation.

“I shall not insist that the biblical figure of Nebuchadnezzar is uniquely apt for the pivotal figure of the ‘democratic’ history in the making at this moment,” said Mr. Soyinka. “For one thing, Nebu was a nation builder and a warrior. One could argue even more convincingly for the figure of Balthazar, his successor, or indeed Emperor Nero as reference point – you all remember him – the emperor who took to fiddling while Rome was burning.

“However you should easily recall why I opted for King Nebu – the figure that currently sits on the top of our political pile himself evoked it, albeit in a context that virtuously disclaimed any similarities, even tendencies. Perhaps he meant it at the time when he claimed: ‘I am no Nebuchadnezzar.’ Perhaps not. One judges leaders on acts however, not pronouncements, which are often as reliable as electoral promises.”

Mr. Soyinka said that it was left for Nigerians to decide to revert to the ‘Abacharian status of glorified slaves.”

“The praetorian guards have been let loose – to teach the rabble their place,” he said.

“The recent choice of a new leader for the guard was clearly no accident, and this hitherto unknown enforcer, one Suleiman Abba, has wasted no time in inaugurating a season of brutish power. When a people’s elected emissaries are disenfranchised, cast out like vagrants and resort to scaling fences to engage in their designated functions, the people get the message.

“However, the choice is always there, and each choice comes at a cost. It is either we pay now, or pay later.”

Mr. Soyinka also said that President Goodluck Jonathan had continued to surprise Nigerians in ways “few could have conjectured.”

“Peaking at his own personalised example where he set the law of arithmetic on its head – I refer to the split in the Governors’ Forum, and his ‘formal’ recognition of the minority will in a straightforward, peer election – democracy has been rendered meaningless where it should be most fervently exemplified.

“Nothing is more unworthy of leadership than to degrade a system by which one attains fulfilment, and this is what the nation has witnessed time and time again in various parts of the nation, the recent affront against the legislative chamber being only the most blatant and unconscionable…

“It is a warning. His choices for the occupancy of crucial public positions – such as the protective arm of the nation – constitutes an even more immediate and constant public alert. The signals are ominous – for and beyond 2015.”

Source: http://saharareporters.com/2014/12/02/soyinka-condemns-jonathan%E2%80%99s-%E2%80%98impunity%E2%80%99-likens-president-%E2%80%98nebuchadnezzar%E2%80%99

This President has received enough advice across different strata of Nigerian society, he should take heed and do the right things.

DOES THAT MEANS HE IS GOING TO CHOP GRASS VERY SOON

He has collected his payment. Old gossiper

Nice comparison.
This wole of a guy too get sense

That was my nick in secondary school then before Jehovah take control. I was the class captain and also the king of the jungle.


But I share no trait with the Nigerian man Prof Wole Soyinka described in the above article.

Our current President even lack the character of king Nebuchadnezzar.

ToyozzieTohBad:
DOES THAT MEANS HE IS GOING TO CHOP GRASS VERY SOON

GEJ should rather be compared with legends like Idi-amin, Hitler, Saddam Hussain, Charles Taylor.

All this Prof analogy is just way too complex for GEJ to understand....

Just compare him with Abacha and he will understand....

Wole soyinka has been attacking gej is when gej failed to give any of his numerous children ministarial post. Mad Old Proffesor. Besides i thaught they say gej is a wickling and clueless.

Alphaoscar:
GEJ should rather be compared with legends like Idi-amin, Hitler, Saddam Hussain, Charles Taylor.

you people are the ones calling him cluelless and all sort of name and now you are using another adjective to show he is not what you people expect him to be.

ilugunboy:
All this Prof analogy is just way too complex for GEJ to understand....

Just compare him with Abacha and he will undertand....

Abacha is a learner where Gej is. Gej challengers are Idi-amin, Charles Taylor, Hitler, Osama bin ladin, etc.


how many people Abacha kill compare to Gej book haram?

2cato:
you people are the ones calling him cluelless and all sort of name and now you are using another adjective to show he is not what you people expect him to be.

if he is not clueless will he be killing the same people he swore to protect? Instead of him to behave like a statesman he choose to be a Nebuchadnezzar , pharaoh, Hitler, idi-amin instead and you said he is not clueless?

before;jona was a weakling. now;he is nebu. in 2015,he is going to be what?

Why wale soyaku dey hala my name naa?

Hmm confirmed by me nd endorsed by sensible Nigerians prof d more u grow older the more ur brain work perfectly thought u will b affected by old age but u are just too different.

......and Soyinka can be likened to... a common cultist.

maclatunji:
Soyinka condemns Jonathan’s ‘Impunity’, Likens President To ‘Nebuchadnezzar’

Nobel laureate, Wole Soyinka, has lambasted President Goodluck Jonathan for allowing what he called a reign of impunity, the latest being police siege on the National Assembly.

Mr. Soyinka said the latest action of Suleiman Abba, the Inspector General of Police, against members of the House of Representatives was an “unambiguous” declaration of war against the people.

At a press conference in Lagos he titled King Nebuchadnezzar – The Reign of Impunity, Mr. Soyinka said that the battle line had been drawn and Nigerians must decide whether to submit or resist to the current democratic dispensation.

“I shall not insist that the biblical figure of Nebuchadnezzar is uniquely apt for the pivotal figure of the ‘democratic’ history in the making at this moment,” said Mr. Soyinka. “For one thing, Nebu was a nation builder and a warrior. One could argue even more convincingly for the figure of Balthazar, his successor, or indeed Emperor Nero as reference point – you all remember him – the emperor who took to fiddling while Rome was burning.

“However you should easily recall why I opted for King Nebu – the figure that currently sits on the top of our political pile himself evoked it, albeit in a context that virtuously disclaimed any similarities, even tendencies. Perhaps he meant it at the time when he claimed: ‘I am no Nebuchadnezzar.’ Perhaps not. One judges leaders on acts however, not pronouncements, which are often as reliable as electoral promises.”

Mr. Soyinka said that it was left for Nigerians to decide to revert to the ‘Abacharian status of glorified slaves.”

“The praetorian guards have been let loose – to teach the rabble their place,” he said.

“The recent choice of a new leader for the guard was clearly no accident, and this hitherto unknown enforcer, one Suleiman Abba, has wasted no time in inaugurating a season of brutish power. When a people’s elected emissaries are disenfranchised, cast out like vagrants and resort to scaling fences to engage in their designated functions, the people get the message.

“However, the choice is always there, and each choice comes at a cost. It is either we pay now, or pay later.”

Mr. Soyinka also said that President Goodluck Jonathan had continued to surprise Nigerians in ways “few could have conjectured.”

“Peaking at his own personalised example where he set the law of arithmetic on its head – I refer to the split in the Governors’ Forum, and his ‘formal’ recognition of the minority will in a straightforward, peer election – democracy has been rendered meaningless where it should be most fervently exemplified.

“Nothing is more unworthy of leadership than to degrade a system by which one attains fulfilment, and this is what the nation has witnessed time and time again in various parts of the nation, the recent affront against the legislative chamber being only the most blatant and unconscionable…

“It is a warning. His choices for the occupancy of crucial public positions – such as the protective arm of the nation – constitutes an even more immediate and constant public alert. The signals are ominous – for and beyond 2015.”

Source: http://saharareporters.com/2014/12/02/soyinka-condemns-jonathan%E2%80%99s-%E2%80%98impunity%E2%80%99-likens-president-%E2%80%98nebuchadnezzar%E2%80%99

who is wole soyinka? Abeg make that old man go sitdon for waste yard, him too de make noise.

No matter any thing wey u do no be everybody wey go like u

That is , If gej is not worst than Nebucchadnezar.
Under-rate that clueless man at ur own peril.

[quote author=qtx post=28532624]
who is wole soyinka? Abeg make that old man go sitdon for waste yard, him too de make noise.

The man dies in all who keep silent in the face of tyranny - Wole Soyinka.

Ok his Nebuchadnezzar
And so what?

I no fit laugh oooooo

Brown Enveloped Professor

Is it not thes same Sahara Reporters whose owner was accused of RAPE as well as jumping bail?

I don't think that something good can come out from that rapist media house

***In Chinua Achebe voice*** There was a Country