Nobel laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka is criminalising dissent and weighing in on the side of fraud and injustice, the Obi-Datti Media Office has said.
The media office said this in a Saturday statement after Soyinka challenged the Labour Party (LP) vice presidential candidate, Senator Datti Baba-Ahmed to a debate.
Recall that Soyinka challenged Baba-Ahmed to a one-on-one debate in a Friday statement.
The Nobel laureate’s challenge followed the reactions that trailed his comment where he expressed displeasure at a statement made by the LP presidential running mate.
Baba-Ahmed had, in an interview with Channels TV, stated that “whoever swears in Mr Tinubu” has “ended democracy” in Nigeria.
Following his statement, the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) slammed a fine of N5 million on Channels Television for breaking the broadcasting law in a programme with Baba-Ahmed.
Soyinka condemned the fine, saying that the station was faultless.
He also challenged Baba-Ahmed to a debate on Channels TV.
“If Channels feel up to it, I offer myself willing to engage Mr Datti – or any nominee of his – on its platform on this very bone of contention – one-on-one – without the malodorous intervention of media trolls, and with the same interviewer as mediator. That should be taken as a serious offer,” Soyinka said.
Reacting, the Obi-Datti Media Office said that Baba-Ahmed would not be debating Soyinka for cultural and political reasons.
“Like many Nigerians, we are bewildered by the late-hour intervention of our respected Nobel laureate Prof Wole Soyinka in issues around the flawed 2023 elections.
“Where was he all this while? One of those who should ordinarily and rightfully be honoured as the conscience of the nation, Prof. Soyinka is now criminalising dissent and infact weighing in on the side of fraud and injustice!
“We state therefore that the vice-presidential candidate of Labour Party, Dr. Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed cannot take up Prof. Soyinka’s offer of a public debate, not out of cowardice, but for cultural and political reasons.
“Culturally it’s just not decent, their age and accomplishment gaps taken into account, for Datti to sit opposite the 88-year-old global icon and point out his folly to his face, even if the old man called for it.
“And politically there is no basis for such a challenge in that Prof. is not on any of the opposite ballots.
“If however he can use his influence to drag his preferred candidates, who resisted debates throughout the campaign, to the studio this second, Datti says he is more than willing to take them on.”
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