He however noted that the two leading candidates in the 2015 presidential election (Buhari and President Goodluck Jonathan) are both problematic, adding that, while one is troubled by the past, the other is troubled by the present.
In an interview with the British Broadcasting Corporation, BBC, he noted that the electorate were in a dilemma as a result of the choices they have been provided by the political parties ahead of the elections that were postponed for six weeks from February to March and April.
“Buhari and his partner General Tunde Idiagbon, after [former military head of state] Sani Abacha, I think they represented the most brutal face of military dictatorship. There is no question about that,” Soyinka told BBC.
“But the environment changes, circumstances change and… I look at the possibility of a genuine internal transformation in some individuals. I’ve been disappointed before and we must always be ready to be disappointed again,” he added of Buhari.
He had a similar scathing assessment of Jonathan. “What happened was a clear failure of leadership – a slow reaction, an inadequate reaction and response,” Soyinka said while stressing that while responsibility for the Boko Haram crisis rests with President Jonathan, the government cannot be held solely responsible for the entire jihadist problem as it began under previous governments,” he said.
In an interview with the British Broadcasting Corporation, BBC, he noted that the electorate were in a dilemma as a result of the choices they have been provided by the political parties ahead of the elections that were postponed for six weeks from February to March and April.
“Buhari and his partner General Tunde Idiagbon, after [former military head of state] Sani Abacha, I think they represented the most brutal face of military dictatorship. There is no question about that,” Soyinka told BBC.
“But the environment changes, circumstances change and… I look at the possibility of a genuine internal transformation in some individuals. I’ve been disappointed before and we must always be ready to be disappointed again,” he added of Buhari.
He had a similar scathing assessment of Jonathan. “What happened was a clear failure of leadership – a slow reaction, an inadequate reaction and response,” Soyinka said while stressing that while responsibility for the Boko Haram crisis rests with President Jonathan, the government cannot be held solely responsible for the entire jihadist problem as it began under previous governments,” he said.
He's very correct. We can't blame d govt 4 evrtin. Quite an inciisive interview. Hmmm! "Uwaifo don talk e own o".
ReplyDeleteOn point..
ReplyDelete#GodblessNigeria
On point..
ReplyDelete#GodblessNigeria
He clearifies the whole issue,people can be disappointing,n 4 buhari 2 change lyk dat z nt easy as u nigerians tink,so fellow nigerian pls be wise in ur votings #GEJ till 2019
ReplyDeleteFor d first time soyinka is sounding like a prof....BH is clearly GEJ responsibilities but BH started long ago before he came into power.....I think we need to give him second chance,,though let d electorate votes decides next month on a free n fair atmosphere.....
ReplyDeleteThough he maybe right,but change is constant
ReplyDeleteYes, change is constant, all we need is change,Bc I don't know wot gej will do now dt he couldn't do d last 6yrs,anyway God shud set Nigeria free from all ds sucking blood
ReplyDeleteokay
ReplyDeleteREMEMBER THIS! GEJ isn't the problem of Nigeria, and Buhari is definitely not the answer. GEJ Till 2019
ReplyDeleteWell said from him
ReplyDelete