By Joshua Tosin Ogunsakin 
Nobel laureate Prof. Wole Soyinka has said he is not ready to publicly evaluate President Bola Tinubu’s administration, pointing to repeated misinterpretation of his previous statements.
In an interview with BBC News Yoruba, published on Facebook on Tuesday, the celebrated writer and activist explained that he is taking his time before offering his view, adding that he will speak out when he believes the timing is right.
“I have been asked that question by several people,” Soyinka, speaking in Yoruba, told the interviewer. “I don’t want to answer because it seems as if there’s nothing one says that won’t be twisted, and I’m tired of that. So, I want to take my time. When it’s time, I will write my view on that.”
Known for his outspoken critiques of successive Nigerian administrations, including those of former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo, Goodluck Jonathan, and the late Muhammadu Buhari, Soyinka has yet to comment publicly on Tinubu’s government, now over two years in office.
In the past, Soyinka has not shied away from criticism. In 2019, he slammed Buhari’s government for failing to adequately address Nigeria’s security challenges. Two years later, he told Kaftan TV, “I don’t want to talk about Muhammadu Buhari’s administration. I think it is best for my sanity just to avoid that overall question. I can take bits and pieces of Nigeria’s present predicament, but I think for one’s sense of balance, one must forget the existence of the Buhari administration.”
Soyinka has also been in the spotlight recently over the revocation of his US visa. Speaking to BBC News Yoruba, he said he has no plans to reapply despite requests from the US Consulate in Lagos.
“If you read the letter sent to me by the embassy, they wrote that I should bring my passport for them to stamp it so it shows that it has been cancelled. They are jokers. I should take my passport to those who revoked my visa? I told them they should come to my house, take the passport themselves, and stamp it. So, I cannot say I’ll be applying again or sitting down to fill out any form, whether online or having to go there — no. But if they want — because I’m not fighting the American people, no — if in the future they realise that they made a mistake and ask me to come and take my visa back, I will say they should bring it to my house. And before you come to my house, you will need a visa to enter.”
Last Tuesday in Lagos, Soyinka held a media briefing at Kongi’s Harvest Art Gallery, Freedom Park, Lagos Island, announcing the revocation of his B1/B2 visa.
“It is necessary for me to hold this press conference so that people in the United States who are expecting me for this event or that event do not waste their time. I have no visa; I am banned, obviously, from the United States. And if you want to see me, you know where to find me,” the 91-year-old said.
Although Soyinka has been a critic of former US President Donald Trump, he said he does not know the reason for the visa cancellation.
The US Consulate in Lagos later clarified to The Punch that visas are a privilege, not a right. “Every country, including the United States, can determine who enters its borders. Visas may be revoked at any time, at the discretion of the U.S. government, whenever circumstances warrant,” the consulate stated.
Hon. Comrade James Onifade