The Presidency on Tuesday replied Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka, saying the government is the most liberal ever in the history of Nigeria.
According to the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Public Affairs, Dr. Doyin Okupe, the presidency urged the literary giant to also attack Governor Rotimi Amaechi for his statements which were capable of overheating the polity.
Prof Wole Soyinka had earlier said President Goodluck Jonathan was worse than neo-Babylonian king, Nebuchadnezzar, describing Jonathan as a President that embraces impunity.
“I shall not insist that the historical/biblical figure of Nebuchadnezzar is uniquely apt for the pivotal figure of the ‘democratic’ history in the making at this moment – for one thing, Nebuchadnezzar was a nation builder and a warrior.
“One could argue even more convincingly for the figure of Balthazar, his successor, or indeed Emperor Nero as reference point – you all remember him – the emperor who took to fiddling while Rome was burning. However you should easily recall why I opted for King Nebuchadnezzar – the figure that currently sits on the top of our political pile himself evoked it, albeit in a context that virtuously disclaimed any similarities, even tendencies,” he said.
Okupe said, “Our eminent Professor also sadly plays the ostrich as he failed to reprimand Governor Rotimi Amaechi who is the national champion of impunity and official recklessness.
“The administration of President Goodluck Jonathan prides itself as the most liberal, keeping faith with adherence to rule of law and tolerance.”
Prof. Soyinka had said while briefing Journalists in Lagos that governance has degenerated to a level where any individual on account of his uniform can stop an elected representative of a people from going about his legitimate duty.
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