Professor Wole Soyika Does Not Criticize His Friends – Obasanjo

Obasanjo who made the revelation in his latest book, “Under My Watch” described Soyinka, as ‘a self-serving critic’ who always loves to take the lead on all matters.

“For Wole, no one can be good, nor can anything be spot-on politically except that which emanates from him or is ordained by him. His friends and loved ones will always be right and correct no matter what they do or fail to do.”

“He is surely a better wine connoisseur and a more successful “aparo” hunter than a political critic, not to talk of what he would do as a politician. I take him seriously on almost all issues except on the political particularly Nigerian politics.”

Obasanjo also took a look at the hereafter, nothing that he will welcome the professor if he dies before him and hopes the professor will also do the same.

“If I go before him, I will bid him welcome when he arrives at the great beyond. I hope he would do the same if he succeeds in getting there before me and we find ourselves on the same side of the divide.”

Placing Soyinka side by side with the late human right lawyer, Chief Gani Fawehinmi, Obasanjo wrote that Fawehinmi is one of the most genuine politico-social critics in the history of Nigeria.

“Gani was to me a fearless, genuine politico-social critic, who drew no distinction between friends and associates or on ethnicity, geography or religion. He believed in what he did and did what he believed.”

Obasanjo said his former wife, Remi secured Fawehinmi’s service in order to scandalize him as a senior military officer and a minister in government, but that he equally secured Mr. Fawehinmi’s match in Mr. Kehinde Sofola. “But that issue did not diminish my respect for Gani,” he said.