Politics
Updated: Again, Soyinka dismisses the Obidient, says he can’t relate with them
Again, Soyinka dismisses the Obidient, says he can’t relate with them
Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, has faulted claims by presidential candidate of Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi, that their meeting on Sunday featured an issue of reconciling him with his political supporters popularly called the Obidient.
Indeed, the literary icon dismissed the Obidient, stressing that he only recognised Obi and his party, the LP, as two entities that he could relate with.
“I do not know, and am unable to relate to something known as the ‘Obidient’ or ‘Obidient Family’,” he said.
Obi on Sunday disclosed that he visited Soyinka and gave the impression that the visit was to get a soft landing for his followers who insulted the literary giant last month.
Obidients had used all manner of words on the globally renowned author over an interview he granted on the elections.
Soyinka in the interview reminded Obi of his warning that if he lost the presidential election, it would be due to his supporters.
The supporters did not take it kindly as they unleashed caustic comments on him and the literary icon fired back and condemned Datti Baba-Ahmed, Obi’s running mate, for daring to say democracy would have collapsed in Nigeria to swear in Bola Tinubu declared winner of the February 25 poll as president on May 29.
But on Sunday, Obi said he made attempts to reconcile the professor with his followers, the Obidient family.
However, Soyinka in a statement on Monday said reconciliation was never discussed during his meeting with Obi.
He said, “Before it gains traction and embarks on a life of its own, I wish to state clearly that the word ‘Reconciliation’, inserted into some reports of Peter Obi’s visit to me yesterday, Sunday, May 7, is a most inappropriate, and diversionary invocation.
“Let me clarify: I know the entity known as Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Labour Party. I can relate to him. I know and can relate to the Labour Party on whose platform he contested elections. There are simply no issues to reconcile between those two entities and myself.
“However, I do not know, and am unable to relate to something known as the ‘Obidient’ or ‘Obidient Family’. Thus, albeit in a different vein, any notion of Reconciliation, or even relations – positive, negative or indifferent – with such a spectral emanation is simply grasping at empty air.
“During that meeting, attended by two other individuals only, the word ‘Reconciliation’ was never bruited, neither in itself nor in any other form. It simply did not arise. By contrast, there were expressions of ‘burden of leadership’ ‘responsibility’ ‘apology’, ‘pleading’, ‘formal dissociation from the untenable’, all the way to the ‘tragic ascendancy of ethnic cleavage’, especially under such ironic, untenable circumstances. Discussions were frank, and creative. The notion of Reconciliation was clearly N/A – None Applicable. It was never raised.
“The following should be understood, but never underestimated. What remains ineradicable from that weekend of orgiastic rave in the social media was the opening up of the dark, putrid recesses in the national psyche that we like to pretend do not exist.
“It invited – into minds seeking a grasp on reality – gruesome variations on images from Dante’s Purgatorio. A fathomless pit was exposed, at the bottom of which one glimpsed a throng of the damned, writhing in competitive lust for the largest of the gangrenous ladles in a diabolical broth.
“To peek over the edge of that pit for a prolonged spell was to turn giddy, with a risk of falling into the tureen of inhuman pus. To attempt to navigate one’s way, however gingerly, along a mat spread across the infernal abyss, is an invitation to moral suicide.
“For the serious minded, I call attention to essays I have offered on the theme of Reconciliation based on Truth, and the ethical imperative of Restitution. There will be further elaborations forthcoming in DEMOCRACY PRIMER III – Bookcraft’s INTERVENTION series, now brought forward for publication on June 12, the watershed extorted from the current regime as the nation’s Democracy Day.
“If, from here on, I now comply with entreaties from several valued, genuinely concerned directions, and ignore new provocations, however vile, it is only because I also approve of Mohammed Ali’s strategy of Rope-a-Dope, where blind menace is left flailing hopelessly at the disdainful manifest of Truth.”
Again, Soyinka dismisses the Obidient, says he can’t relate with them
Politics
Obasanjo, Atiku, Kwankwaso Lead Opposition Unity Talks in Ibadan Summit
Obasanjo, Atiku, Kwankwaso Lead Opposition Unity Talks in Ibadan Summit
Leading opposition figures in Nigeria on Saturday converged in Ibadan for a high-level national summit aimed at building political unity, strengthening cooperation, and repositioning opposition parties ahead of future elections.
The meeting, held at the Banquet Hall of the Oyo State Government House, brought together key stakeholders from major opposition parties, including the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), African Democratic Congress (ADC), New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), and other political blocs.
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo presided over the summit, while Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde served as host. The gathering was convened under the theme “That We May Work Together for a United Opposition to Sustain Our Democracy,” reflecting efforts to build a more coordinated opposition coalition in Nigeria. Organisers described the summit as a strategic response to rising concerns over economic hardship, insecurity, and governance challenges in the country.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar confirmed his presence at the summit, describing it as a broad consultation involving opposition parties across the country. Former Kano State Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso also attended, expressing optimism about the discussions aimed at fostering political cooperation and national stability.
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Other prominent attendees included former Sokoto State Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal and Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, the Labour Party’s 2023 governorship candidate in Lagos State, alongside representatives from multiple opposition platforms.
Discussions at the summit reportedly centered on building a unified opposition front, improving collaboration among parties, and developing a coordinated strategy for upcoming elections. Sources said participants also explored ways to reduce internal divisions that have historically weakened opposition performance during national polls.
Although no formal coalition was announced, insiders described the meeting as a significant step toward possible opposition realignment in Nigeria. The Ibadan summit comes amid increasing political engagements across Nigeria as parties and leaders position themselves ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Analysts believe the presence of top political figures at the same forum signals renewed momentum toward strengthening opposition influence and possibly reshaping the country’s political landscape. However, no official communiqué outlining final resolutions had been released at the time of filing this report.
Obasanjo, Atiku, Kwankwaso Lead Opposition Unity Talks in Ibadan Summit
Politics
Tinubu Orders APC Governors to Conduct Free Primaries
Tinubu Orders APC Governors to Conduct Free Primaries
President Bola Tinubu has issued a strong directive to governors elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), mandating them to ensure free, fair, and rancour-free primaries while granting them full autonomy under the Electoral Act.
The directive followed a strategic meeting at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, where governors met with the President to discuss preparations for the party’s primaries ahead of the general elections.
Speaking after the meeting, Mohammed Bago said the governors visited the President to appreciate his support and received what he described as a “marching order” to successfully conduct the primaries.
According to him, Tinubu empowered the governors to adopt either direct primaries or consensus arrangements, provided such decisions align with the law and are accepted by all aspirants.
The meeting, which began around 5 p.m. at the President’s Conference Room, had in attendance key APC governors, including Hope Uzodimma, Inuwa Yahaya, Babagana Zulum, Hyacinth Alia, Biodun Oyebanji, Peter Mbah, and AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, among others.
Discussions focused on conducting transparent APC primaries that would strengthen party unity and position it effectively for upcoming elections.
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Meanwhile, the National Working Committee (NWC) of the APC has clarified that there will be no automatic tickets for the President or first-term governors, opening the contest to all qualified aspirants.
Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Duro Meseko, disclosed that the party has adopted both direct and consensus primary options, with a clear condition that consensus must be agreed upon by all aspirants or it will revert to direct primaries.
He emphasised that APC nomination forms are open to all interested Nigerians, dismissing speculation that the process would favour specific candidates.
The party also released a revised timetable in line with the amended Electoral Act 2026 and guidelines from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Sales of nomination forms will run from April 25 to May 2, 2026, while submission of completed forms closes on May 4, 2026. Screening of aspirants is scheduled between May 6 and May 9, with results to be published on May 11.
Primary elections will hold across categories, culminating in the APC presidential primary on May 23, 2026, following an adjustment from the earlier date of May 15–16.
The party also confirmed that updated membership records have been transmitted to INEC, ensuring compliance with electoral requirements.
Tinubu’s directive is widely seen as a move to promote internal democracy, transparency, and party discipline, while preventing disputes that could weaken the APC ahead of the elections.
Political observers note that opening the race to all aspirants could intensify competition but also enhance credibility if managed effectively.
Tinubu Orders APC Governors to Conduct Free Primaries
Politics
Senator Barau Empowers APC Leaders in Kano with 47 Cars, 282 Motorcycles
Senator Barau Empowers APC Leaders in Kano with 47 Cars, 282 Motorcycles
The Deputy President of the Senate, Barau Jibrin, has distributed 47 Sharon vehicles and 282 Boxer motorcycles to leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kano North Senatorial District as part of a large-scale empowerment programme aimed at strengthening party structure and grassroots mobilisation.
The distribution exercise, held in Kano State, also covered former party officials in the district. According to organisers, the initiative is designed to improve mobility for party activities, enhance coordination, and support beneficiaries in building sustainable livelihoods.
Senator Barau Empowers APC Leaders in Kano with 282 Motorcycles
Speaking at the event on Wednesday, the Chief of Staff to the Deputy Senate President, Muhammad Abdullahi, said the programme was targeted at promoting self-reliance and human development among recipients.
He praised Senator Barau for consistent interventions in the senatorial district, saying the empowerment items would help improve living standards and ease transportation challenges faced by party officials.
Abdullahi also urged beneficiaries not to sell the vehicles and motorcycles, but to use them productively to generate income and support their families.
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The media aide to Senator Barau, Shittu Madaki, confirmed the distribution, stating that the items included 47 cars and 282 motorcycles, with additional empowerment packages expected in subsequent phases.
He noted that the initiative reflects ongoing efforts to strengthen APC structures and deepen grassroots engagement in Kano North.
Also speaking, the State Coordinator of the Renewed Hope Agenda, Salihu Takai, said the programme aligns with the grassroots implementation of President Bola Tinubu’s policy direction under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
According to him, the empowerment drive is not an isolated intervention but part of a sustained development effort in the district, with more support programmes expected.
Beneficiaries included APC local government chairmen, secretaries, and former party officials, many of whom expressed appreciation for the gesture, describing it as timely support for party operations and grassroots mobilisation.
The programme has also generated public discussion, with supporters praising it as a boost for political organisation and economic empowerment, while critics argue that such initiatives reflect the broader role of political patronage in Nigeria’s democratic system.
Senator Barau Empowers APC Leaders in Kano with 47 Cars, 282 Motorcycles
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