Soyinka forms new party
By Segun Balogun July 21, 2010 02:57AM |
Nobel Laureate, Wole Soyinka, on Tuesday announced the formation of a new political party, called the Democratic Front for Peoples Federation (DFPF).
Kongi, as he is fondly called, seized the opportunity of an annual lecture held in his honour by the National Association of Seadogs to make the announcement. "This party is especially for those Nigerians who do not have a place to lay their heads," he said, adding that the party is the "masses' party."
Mr. Soyinka, who disclosed, to the chagrin of the attendees at the lecture, that he has not collected any amount as pension since he left Obafemi Awolowo University, said the party will be a platform for agitating for the needs of the masses. "Sign up and see what you can make of this party," he said, while announcing that the party will hold its first convention on September 25.
Some of the attendees wondered why the announcement was coming relatively late, but remained optimistic that the new party can still emerge a strong factor in Nigeria's politics. "I had expected this long time ago," said Benjamin Olaiya, one of the attendees, "I don't know why our national heroes do not wake up early to the demands of politics. It was the same with Gani [Fawehinmi]. However, let us hope the party can emerge strongly within the few times remaining till election."
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