Soyinka Speaks On Why He Hasn’t Assessed Tinubu’s Govt

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“I Had Not Swallowed an Alarm Clock” – Wole Soyinka on Tinubu’s First Year

Nobel Laureate Prof. Wole Soyinka has dismissed calls for him to assess President Bola Tinubu’s administration now that it has reached its one-year mark, saying he will speak when he has something to say.

“People should stop trying to work on my timetable for me,” Soyinka stated during an interview on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief on Monday. He was responding to those who reminded him of his earlier statement that he would assess Tinubu’s government after a year in office.

Soyinka, who visited Tinubu at his Ikoyi residence in December 2023, had previously deferred his assessment of the administration, saying he would do so in May 2024. However, with that date now past, he insists he does not operate on a rigid schedule for political commentary.

“I had not swallowed an alarm clock,” he remarked. “I don’t see why I should put my alarm on and say: ‘One year has passed, now, I must make an assessment’ if there is nothing I feel like talking about and if I am busy elsewhere.”

His stance comes as critics continue to scrutinize Tinubu’s governance, particularly on economic challenges such as soaring inflation and a rising cost of living. With the administration approaching its two-year milestone in 2025, many had anticipated Soyinka’s promised review.

However, the literary icon stressed that holding governments accountable is a shared responsibility, not just his. “This business of ‘you haven’t come to do this,’ I don’t understand it. Other people are doing the same; this is a collective effort,” he said, pointing to figures like human rights lawyer Femi Falana and activist Omoyele Sowore, who have consistently voiced concerns.

Soyinka also challenged the expectation that he must issue formal reviews of leadership at set intervals. “Did I do that with Jonathan? Did I do that with Buhari? Did I do that with Obasanjo? So why is it expected of me now?”

The literary giant maintained that if there were pressing issues and he was available, he would speak—but on his own terms.