By Wale I. Idowu
Professor Wole Soyinka had heard all the atrocities that were perpetrated during the 2023 elections — ranging from the unprovoked xenophobic killings, attacks, maimings, and disenfranchisement in Lagos, the unprovoked ethnic jingoism and bigotry, the brigandage unleashed against our innocent Nigerian brothers and sisters of a particular ethnic background, during the elections, how INEC had brazenly subverted the rule of law to allow manipulation of election results and other electoral malpractices towards a predetermined end, and so on, the list is endless. Prof Soyinka, a “human rights activist,” had heard all these but he chose to remain mute (perhaps because he was comfortable with them) only to suddenly emerge from nowhere to start attacking Datti Baba-Ahmed for expressing his views to which he’s entitled, and attacking Obidients by describing them fascists. Unfortunately, Prof Soyinka had nothing at all to say about Femi Fani-Kayode’s, Bayo Onanuga’s, and MC OLUOMO’S inciting publications against fellow Nigerian citizens of a particular ethnic background; Prof Soyinka came out for only one assignment, self-imposed or procured: to attack and to castigate Datti Baba-Ahmed and the Obidients for daring to express their frustrations and disenchantment against the unashamed subversion of the rule of law which was unleashed against Nigeria in the name of an election on 25 February 2023.
Curiously, after describing the Obi-dients as “fascists”, Prof Soyinka immediately thereafter refused to accept or tolerate views and comments directly opposed to or critical of his. Is this not an exhibition of fascism by the same person who preaches against fascism? I wonder.
As an observer, I have been wondering, exactly what have the Obedients been doing since the 25 February 2023 presidential elections:
1). I have not heard that OBIdients staged any form of violent protests against the 2023 selections, sorry elections.
2). I have not heard that Obedients formed or threatened to form any parallel government in Nigeria;
3). I’ve not heard that the Obi-dients took up guns or other arms and invaded any radio or TV station to proclaim or demand that Obi be proclaimed winner of the election;
4). I’ve not heard that the Obi-dients killed anyone, destroyed any property, or carried out any form of violent attacks against any government or private property;
5). I’ve not heard that the Obi-dients invaded or destroyed any INEC office;
6). I’ve not heard that the Obidients staged a coup d’etat, aimed to overthrow the government of Nigeria;
7). Yet, I know that the Obidients are active on the internet, the social media, running their mouths by talking and talking and talking and ventilating their anger, expressing their feelings and frustrations over the events or failed events of 25 February 2023.
Please, how do these amount to fascism? Even if, as I heard also, the Obidients usually come against (in the social media) anyone who attacks, or insults or maligns Obi-Datti, how does this amount to fascism? Have the Obi-dients barred anyone else from expressing their views contrary to or critical of views held by the Obi-dients? I am aware of the main features of a fascist State or environment:
(A). The government which rules as a dictator controls the lives of the people; and
(B). The government doesn’t allow the people to disagree with the government; and
(C). Those who dare to criticize or disagree with the government are made to face sanctions by way of arrests, imprisonment, death other physical harm to their property.
Now, one may ask:
*❕Is the Obidient movement a government capable of controlling citizens’ rights and lives? Answer is NO!
*❕ Has the Obidient movement or have its members barred any Nigerian from holding opinions contrary to the views held by members of the movement? If yes, how and when? But if no, why see as or call them “fascists”– I mean, how do their traits illustrate those of fascists?
*❕.For those who have disagreed or have been disagreeing with the Obi-dients, please has any harm of imprisonment, arrests, death or other harm to property befallen them or any of them?
Why then does Prof Soyinka describe the Obidient as fascists?
How are they fascists?
I want an education because it’s possible there is yet something I don’t know.
Meanwhile, Prof Soyinka accused Datti Baba-Ahmed of using words too strong against the Supreme Court of Nigeria. He accused Datti Baba-Ahmed of using “threatening” words when he said, “Swear in Tinubu and end Nigeria’s democracy”.
Ironically, Prof Soyinka turned around and began using strong, harsh words in criticism of the group called OBIdients.
Dear Prof Soyinka, sir, don’t you think you’ve broken the same rule you set? Does it not occur to you that you have practiced the exact same thing you preached against — what lawyers see as Quod Approbo Non Reprobo (approbating and reprobating at the same time)?
By refusing to tolerate OBIdients’ criticisms of his obviously malignant vituperative diatribes against the Obi-dients, is Prof Soyinka himself not being fascist? Since he hates fascism, should he have exhibited conduct that are directly illustrative of the fascist tendencies — example not allowing those who don’t like his views to freely disagree with and even criticize same, however harsh those criticisms maybe?
As I await answers to these, I think the fascism accusation by Prof Wole Soyinka is a distraction meant to divert people’s attention from discussing the real issues arising from the 25 February 2023 subversion of law, reason, and the electoral process.
@Wale I. IDOWU
