Lagos, Nigeria – Nobel laureate Professor Wole Soyinka has responded to critics urging him to speak out against the current administration, asserting that he will not be pressured into offering commentary on President Bola Tinubu’s government.

During an interview on Channels TV on Monday, Soyinka dismissed demands for an assessment of the administration’s performance after its first year.

“People should stop trying to work on my timetable for me. I had not swallowed an alarm clock,” Soyinka remarked. “I don’t see why I should put my alarm on and say: ‘One year has passed, now, I must make an assessment’ if there is nothing I feel like talking about and if I am busy elsewhere.”

The statement echoes his previous stance during a 2023 visit to Aso Rock, where he indicated that he typically reserves public criticism until a government’s first year in office has passed.

A Softer Tone on Tinubu’s Administration

Despite claims of silence, Soyinka has not been entirely absent from public discourse. He recently criticized Tinubu’s decision to impose a state of emergency in Rivers State, though his remarks lacked the fiery rhetoric that once characterized his opposition to past administrations.

His measured response contrasts sharply with his 2014 criticism of President Goodluck Jonathan, whom he likened to the biblical Nebuchadnezzar after a police siege on the National Assembly. Some observers are now questioning why Soyinka has not applied similar standards to Tinubu, under whose leadership Nigeria faces economic hardship and increased human rights concerns.

Soyinka’s reluctance to speak forcefully against the Tinubu government is complicated by his personal relationship with the President, which dates back to their collaboration during the NADECO (National Democratic Coalition) era—a group that opposed military dictatorship in the 1990s.

“It is hard for a social critic to take down a close friend in power,” noted a political analyst. “For someone like Soyinka—who has set a high bar for radical public engagement—it is even harder to maintain that stance when a personal ally is at the helm of affairs.”

A Legacy of Outspoken Criticism Under Scrutiny

Observers argue that Soyinka’s reputation as a fearless voice against authoritarianism is at risk if he continues to withhold strong criticism of the current administration. His critics believe that his silence may undermine the moral authority he has wielded for decades.

This is not the first time Soyinka’s personal relationships have sparked controversy. In 2016, his intervention during a political feud between Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike and his predecessor, Rotimi Amaechi, led to revelations that Amaechi spent ₦82 million ($165,000) hosting him for a dinner. The disclosure was seen as an attempt to embarrass Soyinka and challenge his image as a principled critic.

Despite the backlash, Soyinka refused to address the expenditure directly, stating that it was not his “business to probe into the catering and logistical implications” of official hospitality.

A Difficult Balancing Act

Soyinka’s current predicament reflects a broader shift in Nigeria’s political landscape. Many figures who once positioned themselves as anti-establishment voices have faced compromising loyalties following the All Progressives Congress’ (APC) rise to national power in 2015.

Having previously aligned himself with the AD/APC political class, Soyinka’s public posture is now seen as increasingly complicated. Critics argue that by remaining quiet on Tinubu’s policies, Soyinka risks losing credibility in the eyes of Nigerians who have long viewed him as a symbol of moral opposition.

“By looking away from his friend’s shortcomings, Soyinka must also accept that he may lose the moral right to critique future leaders,” an editorial remarked.

For now, Soyinka remains steadfast in his refusal to be rushed into making public pronouncements, leaving many to wonder whether his long-standing commitment to social justice will ultimately bend under the weight of personal loyalty.