Wole Soyinka criticises Tinubu’s handling of Nigeria’s role in the Benin coup, warning it threatens regional stability while urging compassion, discipline and responsible governance.
Nobel laureate Prof. Wole Soyinka has again stirred national debate as he questioned President Bola Tinubu’s approach to Nigeria’s military involvement in the recently averted Benin coup attempt.
Speaking in Lagos, Soyinka argued that the federal government acted hastily and without fully weighing the broader consequences for regional stability and Nigeria’s long-term security interests.
His remarks came during the 20th Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism (WSCIJ) Awards on Monday, where he addressed an audience of media practitioners, civil society contributors, and policymakers.
Soyinka, known globally for his moral clarity and political courage, used the moment to reflect on Nigeria’s role in West Africa, warning that any military intervention carries heavy diplomatic burdens.
According to him, Nigeria’s immediate instinct to send troops into a neighbouring country—no matter the intention—should never be treated as routine or automatic.
He argued that the Benin situation required deeper political engagement, patient diplomacy, and stronger regional dialogue rather than a reflexive display of force.
“It is time we stop responding to every tremor next door with boots and battalions,” he stressed, reminding leaders that regional stability becomes fragile when powerful nations overextend themselves militarily.
Soyinka insisted that Nigeria must invest more in strengthening democratic structures, electoral accountability, and civil governance across the subregion.
In his view, the temptation to continually intervene militarily in neighbouring countries could undermine long-term peace, erode trust and worsen tensions that ultimately spill back into Nigerian territory.
He explained that the geopolitical reality of West Africa leaves no country insulated from the crises faced by its neighbours.
“What happens in Benin inevitably affects Nigeria,” he said, adding that regional stability is a shared responsibility that cannot be achieved through force alone.
But his concerns were not confined to foreign policy.
Soyinka also turned his attention to domestic governance, particularly the controversial Lagos demolitions that have displaced many residents in recent months.
Although he acknowledged that safety standards and urban planning sometimes require the demolition of buildings located on flood plains or structurally hazardous sites, he condemned the insensitive way authorities often handle the process.
For him, demolition exercises must prioritise human dignity, social welfare, and transparent communication.
“Development must never be pursued at the expense of compassion,” he declared.
“We must ensure that we do not strip people of their humanity while claiming to improve the environment.”
He emphasised that the poorest citizens always suffer the most during such actions and urged state officials to adopt relocation plans, tenant support systems, and community engagement strategies as part of urban reconstruction efforts.
Soyinka’s commentary took another surprising turn when he criticised what he described as an excessively large security convoy assigned to Seyi Tinubu.
According to him, the convoy was so large and heavily armed that it could “take over a small country,” a situation he considered both embarrassing and dangerous.
He argued that such displays send the wrong message about leadership, entitlement, and the misuse of state resources.
In his words, “Children must understand their place. They are not elected officials. They must not inherit the architecture of state power simply because of their proximity to those in office.”
He questioned why an unelected individual should command such security attention when public office holders themselves often struggle to justify smaller escorts.
The incident, he suggested, demonstrates how political power can easily be abused in ways that weaken institutional integrity.
Returning to issues of governance and accountability, Soyinka applauded journalists for their resilience in confronting state pressure, economic hardship, and rising misinformation.
At the same time, he cautioned the media against lowering editorial standards or succumbing to sensationalism.
He noted that misinformation—particularly through social media—has become one of the most dangerous threats to global peace.
He warned that false information, when amplified without verification, can escalate into conflict.
“The next great global conflict may well be triggered by the misuse of social platforms,” he said, urging practitioners to prioritise truth, verification, and professional ethics.
He emphasised that a credible media environment is essential not just for national stability but for regional stability across West Africa.
Soyinka further argued that journalists must resist pressures from political actors who attempt to manipulate public narratives.
He said the media plays a central role in upholding democracy, holding leaders accountable, and giving citizens factual information with which they can make informed decisions.
Without these responsibilities being upheld, he warned, societies become vulnerable to chaos.
The Nobel laureate ended his address by tying together the interconnected themes of governance, accountability and peace.
He stressed that Nigeria’s internal conduct—whether in handling demolitions, allocating security privileges, or managing political tension—cannot be separated from its external role in maintaining regional stability.
He urged leaders to pursue policies rooted in empathy, transparency, and respect for constitutional values, arguing that these principles are essential for restoring public trust and building a safer, more responsible nation.
Ireport247news
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