ADVERTISEMENT
  • The Membership Club
  • PT Hausa
  • About Us
  • Advert Rates
  • Careers
  • Contact Us
Sunday, January 24, 2021
Premium Times Nigeria
  • Home
  • COVID-19
  • News
    • Headline Stories
    • Top News
    • More News
    • Foreign
  • Investigations
  • Business
    • News Reports
    • Financial Inclusion
    • Analysis and Data
    • Business Specials
    • Opinion
    • Oil/Gas Reports
      • FAAC Reports
      • Revenue
  • Opinion
  • Health
    • News Reports
    • Investigations
    • Data and Infographics
    • Health Specials
    • Features
    • Events
    • Primary Health Tracker
  • Agriculture
    • News Report
    • Research & Innovation
    • Data & Infographics
    • Special Reports/Features
    • Investigations
    • Interviews
    • Markets
  • Arts/Life
    • Arts/Books
    • Kannywood
    • Lifestyle
    • Music
    • Nollywood
    • Travel
  • Sports
    • Football
    • More Sports News
    • Sports Features
  • Projects
    • Parliament Watch
    • Panama Papers
    • Paradise Papers
    • AGAHRIN
  • Home
  • COVID-19
  • News
    • Headline Stories
    • Top News
    • More News
    • Foreign
  • Investigations
  • Business
    • News Reports
    • Financial Inclusion
    • Analysis and Data
    • Business Specials
    • Opinion
    • Oil/Gas Reports
      • FAAC Reports
      • Revenue
  • Opinion
  • Health
    • News Reports
    • Investigations
    • Data and Infographics
    • Health Specials
    • Features
    • Events
    • Primary Health Tracker
  • Agriculture
    • News Report
    • Research & Innovation
    • Data & Infographics
    • Special Reports/Features
    • Investigations
    • Interviews
    • Markets
  • Arts/Life
    • Arts/Books
    • Kannywood
    • Lifestyle
    • Music
    • Nollywood
    • Travel
  • Sports
    • Football
    • More Sports News
    • Sports Features
  • Projects
    • Parliament Watch
    • Panama Papers
    • Paradise Papers
    • AGAHRIN
Premium Times Nigeria
BUA Group Ad BUA Group Ad BUA Group Ad
ADVERTISEMENT
Yoruba youths dare Boko Haram

Prof Wole Soyinka

Presidency replies Soyinka, says he’s ‘playing the ostrich’

byPremium Times
December 3, 2014
2 min read

The presidency has responded to Monday’s rebuke by Nobel laureate, Wole Soyinka, who accused President Goodluck Jonathan of foisting a “reign of impunity” on Nigeria and allowing public officials to flout the law.

Mr. Soyinka’s comments amounted to “playing the ostrich”, a presidential spokesperson said Tuesday.

Mr. Soyinka had likened Mr. Jonathan to the biblical King Nebuchadnezzar, saying the president has continually shocked Nigerians with his decisions.

His comments came after police blockaded the National Assembly in an attempt to stop the speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal, from having access.

The government says Mr. Tambuwal cannot keep his seat after his recent defection from the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, to All Progressives Congress, APC.

“Nothing is more unworthy of leadership than to degrade a system by which one attains fulfilment, and this is what the nation has witnessed time and time again in various parts of the nation, the recent affront against the legislative chamber being only the most blatant and unconscionable…,” Mr. Soyinka said.

“It is a warning. His choices for the occupancy of crucial public positions – such as the protective arm of the nation – constitutes an even more immediate and constant public alert. The signals are ominous – for and beyond 2015,” the Nobel laureate added, criticising the appointment of the Inspector General of Police, Suleiman Abba.

In a response Tuesday, the presidency accused Mr. Soyinka of “playing the Ostrich”, by criticizing the president at the same time failing to condemn acts of impunity in the states.

In a text message to State House Correspondents in Abuja, Tuesday, a spokesperson to the president, Doyin Okupe, said the Jonathan administration prides itself as the most liberal as it adheres to rule of law and tolerance.

RelatedNews

Soyinka backs Kukah, says comments didn’t denigrate Islam

Jubril Martins-Kuye, former minister of commerce, is dead

Talking about Buhari’s administration not good for my sanity– Soyinka

UPDATED: Sheikh Ahmed Lemu is dead

“Soyinka is playing the ostrich as he has deliberately ignored people who are actually engaged in impunity,” Mr. Okupe said.

“For instance, Soyinka had failed to reprimand Gov. Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers who is the king of impunity.

“Our eminent professor also sadly plays the ostrich as he failed to reprimand Amaechi who is the national champion of impunity and official recklessness.”

Dangote adbanner 728x90_2 (1)

In his earlier statement, Mr. Soyinka had also heaped praises on the House of Representatives members, some of who scaled the gate of the National Assembly, weeks ago, to gain entrance into the complex.

“Legislators are not elected for their athletic prowess, and such endeavours should not be demanded of them,” Mr. Soyinka said.

“There are even presidents and prime ministers who were elected despite physical handicaps. The brain is where it matters, the vision and commitment to service.”

Mr. Soyinka said by scaling the National Assembly gate, the legislators had been made to perform beyond their call of duty.

“I don’t understand why some media have described their action as a show of shame – this is a very careless, easily misapplied designation. The act of scaling gates and walls to fulfil their duty to the people must be set down as their finest hour. They must be applauded, not derided,” he said.

“If shame belongs anywhere, it belongs to the Inspector General of Police and his slavish adherence to conspiratorial, illegal, and unconstitutional instructions – to undermine a democratic structure, and one – to make matters worse – convoked in response to an emergency of dire public concern.”

ADVERTISEMENT
  • WhatsApp
  • Tweet
  • Email
  • Print
  • Telegram
  • More
  • Share on Tumblr
  • Pocket

Support PREMIUM TIMES' journalism of integrity and credibility

Good journalism costs a lot of money. Yet only good journalism can ensure the possibility of a good society, an accountable democracy, and a transparent government.

For continued free access to the best investigative journalism in the country we ask you to consider making a modest support to this noble endeavour.

By contributing to PREMIUM TIMES, you are helping to sustain a journalism of relevance and ensuring it remains free and available to all.

Donate


TEXT AD: To advertise here . Call Willie +2347088095401...


JOIN THE CONVERSATION

  • Disqus (0)
premiumtimes



PT Mag Campaign AD

Previous Post

Supreme Court adjourns hearing in case against Governor Akpabio’s election

Next Post

APC clears Buhari, Atiku, Kwankwaso, others for presidential primary

Premium Times

Premium Times

More News

Sunday Igboho [PHOTO: BBC Pidgin]

New twist in Oyo crisis as Miyetti Allah seeks Sunday Igboho’s arrest

January 23, 2021
National Assembly Complex

National Assembly postpones resumption

January 23, 2021
FILE: President Mohammadu Buhari (right) and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo (left) President Mohammadu Buhari (right) and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo (left)

Amidst recession, Buhari to spend highest amount on Presidential Villa since assuming office

January 23, 2021
Nigerian police launches 'Rescue Me' app

Insecurity: Nigerian police launches ‘Rescue Me’ app

January 23, 2021
Sheikh Ibrahim El-Zakzaky

El-Zakzaky’s wife’s COVID-19 status not yet confirmed – Kaduna Prison

January 23, 2021
Senator Ted Cruz [PHOTO CREDIT: @SenatorTedCruz]

Nigerians, Americans, others mock US senator for ignorant view about Paris Accord

January 22, 2021
Next Post
APC clears Buhari, Atiku, Kwankwaso, others for presidential primary

APC clears Buhari, Atiku, Kwankwaso, others for presidential primary

T.B. Joshua links building collapse that killed 17 to strange aircraft

Synagogue collapse probe stalled over T.B. Joshua's refusal to appear

Discussion about this post

Search

#EndSARS: Latest Updates




Polaris Bank


JAIZ Ad


NITDA Ad




Advertisement






netherland biz school Advert

Zenith Advert

Heritage Advert
ADVERTISEMENT

Our Digital Network

  • PT Hausa
  • Election Centre
  • Human Trafficking Investigation
  • Centre for Investigative Journalism
  • National Conference
  • Press Attack Tracker
  • PT Academy
  • Dubawa
  • LeaksNG
  • Campus Reporter

Resources

  • Oil & Gas Facts
  • List of Universities in Nigeria
  • LIST: Federal Unity Colleges in Nigeria
  • NYSC Orientation Camps in Nigeria
  • Nigeria’s Federal/States’ Budgets since 2005
  • Malabu Scandal Thread
  • World Cup 2018
  • Panama Papers Game
  • Our Digital Network
  • About Us
  • Resources
  • Projects
  • Data & Infographics
  • DONATE

All content is Copyrighted © 2020 The Premium Times, Nigeria

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • COVID-19
  • News
    • Headline Stories
    • Top News
    • More News
    • Foreign
  • Investigations
  • Business
    • News Reports
    • Financial Inclusion
    • Analysis and Data
    • Business Specials
    • Opinion
    • Oil/Gas Reports
      • FAAC Reports
      • Revenue
  • Health
    • News Reports
    • Investigations
    • Data and Infographics
    • Health Specials
    • Features
    • Events
    • Primary Health Tracker
  • Agriculture
    • News Report
    • Research & Innovation
    • Data & Infographics
    • Special Reports/Features
    • Investigations
    • Interviews
    • Markets
  • Arts/Life
    • Arts/Books
    • Kannywood
    • Lifestyle
    • Music
    • Nollywood
    • Travel
  • Sports
    • Football
    • More Sports News
    • Sports Features
  • Projects
    • Panama Papers
    • Paradise Papers
    • Parliament Watch
    • AGAHRIN
  • Opinion
  • PT Hausa
  • The Membership Club
  • Dubawa
    • Dubawa NG
  • About Us
  • Advert Rates
  • Careers
  • Contact Us
  • Digital Store
  • DONATE

All content is Copyrighted © 2020 The Premium Times, Nigeria

Our website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used. Visit our Privacy and Cookie Policy.
loading Cancel
Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
Email check failed, please try again
Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.