Re: USA Africa Dialogue Series - Soyinka denies eulogizing Tinubu, says tribute concocted

"I can only yet again recommend my recent "occasional" publication – The Republic of Liars – to the public as a cautionary tract, while the growing population of victims await the routine descent of the full operational wrath of Internet policing on all impudent impersonators," Mr. Soyinka said.

What does this mean? I am no longer sure I can put much faith in these statements as originating from Soyinka, whether the one first attributed to him (a little outlandish) or the rebuttal: they both appear to mimic his style. I hope that Premium Times has done due diligence in talking with Soyinka personally to confirm that he actually sent the email, and not simply rely on an email to publish a story.

On Fri, Nov 27, 2015 at 12:05 AM, Ugo Nwokeji <ugo@berkeley.edu> wrote:

I wonder why this rebuttal hasn't yet shown up here, given that the errant post (attributing to Soyinka what he has now denied) was posted here.

http://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/top-news/193974-soyinka-denies-eulogizing-tinubu-says-tribute-concocted.html

Soyinka denies eulogizing Tinubu, says tribute concocted

November 26, 2015Press Release

Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka has denied a report attributed to him extolling the virtues of a former governor of Lagos State and chieftain of the ruling All Progressive Congress, Bola Tinubu.

A recent online report had quoted Mr. Soyinka as admiring the former governor's maturity and political sacrifice for "saving Nigeria from the danger of falling into one party state".

The online report also quoted Mr. Soyinka as saying, among other things, that Mr. Tinubu had "nurtured many renowned national successors" and surrendered his ambition for President Muhammadu Buhari.

"Political juveniles believed that APC won because of the votes from the North. No!!!, APC's victory was cemented the day Muhammadu Buhari and Asiwaju Tinubu resolved to work together," the false report said.

According to the concocted report, the Nobel Laureate said, "Tinubu has the option of joining the PDP elites to hold us hostage for another decade but he gave his all to the masses to dethrone the elites."

But Mr. Soyinka, a professor emeritus, in an e-mail sent to PREMIUM TIMES on Thursday, refuted the entire report, saying he had never said what was attributed to him.

"It is difficult to prescribe for the sort of mind that finds itself so inadequate that it must foist its opinions on others, and with such confident sense of impunity. Kindly assist me in letting the public know that I am not in anyway connected with the publication that has just been forwarded to me…

"I can only yet again recommend my recent "occasional" publication – The Republic of Liars – to the public as a cautionary tract, while the growing population of victims await the routine descent of the full operational wrath of Internet policing on all impudent impersonators," Mr. Soyinka said.

Muyiwa Olugbesan ·

University of Ife

The Prof has a duty to himself and for record purposes to set the records straight. Records are invaluable in the writing of history so that those coming behind may be properly informed.
Since the false publication was placed in the public domain, it is only appropriate that the rebuttal should be similarly placed.

Like · Reply · 9 hrs

Olusola Sogunro ·

University of Baltimore

I love Prophesor Soyinka and agree with most of his opions, but I do not share airing differences in a way that detracts from anyones perceived integrity. Our newspaper repoters should check their facts before imposing their writings on anyone as source for their fabricated publications.

Like · Reply · 9 hrs

G. Ugo Nwokeji

Director, Center for African Studies

Associate Professor of African American Studies
University of California, Berkeley
686 Barrows Hall #2572
Berkeley, CA 94720
Tel. (510) 542-8140
Fax (510) 642-0318

Twitter: @UgoNwokeji

Facebook: facebook.com/ugo.nwokeji

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/profile/view?id=243610869

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