In a surprising move, Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka, has announced his decision to refrain from criticizing President Bola Tinubu for the first year of his presidency. Soyinka, known for his outspoken nature, explained that it is his customary practice to give new governments a grace period of one year before offering any critiques.
During a recent visit to President Tinubu, who is currently on vacation in Lagos for the Christmas season, he disclosed that he had advised Tinubu against running for the presidency. Despite the political differences and his advice being ignored, Soyinka considered it a friendly gesture to visit Tinubu and his family during the festive season.
Soyinka acknowledged that he follows a similar approach with other heads of state, such as Obasanjo, Buhari, and Jonathan, refraining from criticism during their first year in office. He believes that leaders often start their term facing challenges even lower than ground zero and need time to make up ground.
When asked about his expectations for the Tinubu government, He mentioned that he presented a seven-point agenda during their meeting, indicating a thorough discussion on key issues. It remains to be seen how this unique approach from Soyinka will impact the discourse around President Tinubu’s leadership in the coming months.