Posted by By Idowu Ajanaku (Lagos) and Iyabo Lawal (Ibadan) on
Nobel laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, yesterday narrated the circumstances that led to his non-participation in the last Monday's mass action in Ibadan, Oyo State.
* Oyo House probes council chiefs
Nobel laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, yesterday narrated the circumstances that led to his non-participation in the last Monday's mass action in Ibadan, Oyo State.
The really, which was organised by the campaign for Democracy (CD) by protest the impeachment of Chief Rashidi Ladoja as the state governor was aborted by the police.
As Soyinka spoke on the Oyo Saga and other national issues with journalists in Lagos, the 18-pro-Lamadi Adedibu lawmaker, who removed Ladoja, began the probe of local council chairman in the state.
Soyinka defence of his action was disappointed expressed by Moshood Erubami; the CD boss over the non-appearance of the social critic at the rally after he had reportedly been informed.
But the literary icon told reporters that he was never part of the organisers of the protest despite the fact the CD informed him about it.
Soyinka who voice was laced with anger said: "I was not part of the organisers of the rally. I was not informed about the details. Rally or struggle is not about personalities but issues and principles. Afterall Dr. Beko Ransome-Kuti is not in the country now, he is sick must he now be brought backinto the country to participate in a rally. NO! what if I drop dead tomorrow, would the struggle to free Nigeria not continue? I don't take order from the Inspector General of Police or president (Olusegun) Obasanjo, so it would be unfair if one of us thinks, he can give me orders he said.
Although he admitted giving support for the protest, Soyinka said that he did not participate because the very details of its execution were very sketchy.
To the literary giant his inability to attend the rally was against the background of the fact that he was already engaged.
He, however, chided the police