Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, announced on Sunday that he would withhold his assessments of President Bola Tinubu’s administration until one year into his tenure in May 2024. Soyinka explained that this delay allows the President sufficient time to address any initial challenges and “make up” for lost ground.
During a courtesy visit to the President, who is currently on holiday in Lagos, Soyinka emphasized his personal policy of granting heads of state a year before offering comments on their performance.
“Well, you know, something you may have noticed about me is that most heads of state, when they take office, I always leave them alone for about the first year…Because they need time. I know when they come in, they don’t start from ground zero. They often start even lower than ground zero, and they have to make up. So, I’m adopting the same principle this time. When you see me next year, ask the same question again and listen to my answer,” he stated.
Describing the visit as “embarrassing,” Soyinka mentioned that he presented a seven-point agenda during the meeting, details of which he chose not to disclose. He also recalled his last visit about five years ago when he urged Tinubu not to run for office, emphasizing that this recent visit was to check on the President and his wife and wish them a Happy Christmas.
In a similar vein, Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, who also visited Tinubu in Lagos, encouraged Nigerians to remain patient, expressing confidence that the economic reforms initiated by the President would lead to prosperity if sustained. Otti acknowledged the challenges accompanying these policies but stressed the importance of patience, believing that over time, the nation would experience positive changes.
