Wednesday, July 23, 2025
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Careers
  • Contact
The Reflector Newspaper
  • Home
  • News
  • Politics
  • Featured
  • Foreign News
  • Business
  • Opinions
  • Sport
  • Crime
  • Others
    • Education
    • Economy
    • Entertainment
    • Fashion & Style
    • Health
    • Interview
    • Love & Relationships
    • Technology
  • Login
No Result
View All Result
The Reflector Newspaper
Home Featured

I nearly contested for President after June 12 struggle — Soyinka

Ifeanyi Uzoechiena by Ifeanyi Uzoechiena
June 16, 2025
in Featured, Politics
0
Wole Soyinka Fault Tinubu’s Emergency Rule In Rivers
0
SHARES
15
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on LinkedInShare on WhatsAppShare on TelegramSend to Email

Nobel laureate, Prof Wole Soyinka, has disclosed that he almost joined the presidential race following the June 12 pro-democracy struggle.

He, however, said he dismissed the idea after 36 hours of serious contemplation, describing it as “crazy.”

Related posts

EFCC Withdraws Fraud Charges Against Otudeko

EFCC Withdraws Fraud Charges Against Otudeko

July 23, 2025
Tinubu Sleeps Well Because Of You,  Opeyemi Bamidele Tells Akpabio

Akpabio Confirms Defection Of Four PDP Senators To APC

July 23, 2025

Soyinka made the revelation on Saturday during an interaction with journalists at Freedom Park, Lagos, at an event themed “June 12: Romancing the Embers.”

The engagement came on the heels of President Bola Tinubu’s conferment of national honours on some individuals deemed heroes of the June 12 movement.

When asked why he did not contest for power during the transition programmes that followed the annulled 1993 presidential election, Soyinka said he never saw himself as a politician and only briefly considered the option before backing out.

“I did not; I was not interested; I wanted to go back to my writing; I wanted to go back to where I belong; I am not a politician.

“I must confess, however, that for about 36 hours, I did decide that we have a responsibility and I nearly accepted the nomination to run for office of President.

“After 36 hours, I said, ‘Wole Soyinka, you dey craze.’ Then I said, let me go back to what I love doing,” he said.

The playwright also came down hard on individuals who, in his view, trivialise the significance of the June 12 struggle, describing them as the real enemies of democracy.

“There are still a lot of misconceptions about June 12, even among those who participated, which is normal.

“When you have a movement like June 12, people come with different motivations. Some joined just to settle scores; some joined because they felt belittled or dehumanised by the conduct of the military. Others joined because they are against any form of dictatorship,” he said.

He added, “Many negative things have been written. I want it understood that we had betrayals, lots of inconsistencies, and a lot of opportunistic membership.

“We had treachery that cost many lives and pauperised hundreds. We had retributive activities even continuing after the termination of that particular regime.

“People now assume different roles, pretending and using the transition period.

“June 12 did not begin on June 12 and did not terminate on June 12. Many people—even when they want to settle political scores today, maybe over thwarted ambitions—try to trivialise June 12, instead of leaving June 12 alone. You didn’t participate, and nobody forced you to participate—leave June 12 alone.”

He said those who trivialised June 12 because of thwarted political ambition were the worst kind of enemies of democracy.

“If you see anybody making false claims, they have a right. It is your responsibility to say, ‘I know something about it; it didn’t go this way; the truth is this and that.’ That is legitimate.

“But those who invoke it just to trivialise June 12 because of thwarted political ambition are the worst kind of enemies of democracy.”

Soyinka said the ideals of the June 12 movement must continue to be preserved and promoted through public remembrance, civic engagement, and formal recognition of those who sacrificed for the country’s democracy.

“June 12, therefore, must be sustained through reminders, occasions, gatherings, other civic activities, and through formal recognitions of those who passed away in the movement,” he said.

The Nobel laureates acknowledged that there were some omissions in the honours list of the President.

“I listened to Kayode Fayemi. There were indeed some misses in the honours list. But we should accept the fact that for any struggle so multi-dimensional—one that cuts across the nation, professions, the military itself, academia, market women, factory workers, and so on—those of us honoured should be seen as mere representatives of that movement,” he said.

Soyinka also berated some Nigerian youths who dismissed the significance of June 12, describing such attitudes as ignorant and irresponsible.

He said, “Over half of Nigerians were not born as of June 12, 1993. It could be misinterpreted. Why should June 12 be considered important at this time?

“The youths should learn to shut their mouths if they are ignorant. When they don’t know anything, they have a choice—to not talk about it or be curious, do research, and ask questions: Who is this person? Why did it happen? Who was involved?”

Soyinka further attributed misconceptions about the importance of the June 12 struggle and other liberty struggles of the nation to deliberate efforts to exterminate the teaching of history.

Soyinka added, “If they don’t want to do either, then they become enemies of history, enemies of truth. In addition, society has the responsibility to make sure they have access to materials, the truth.

“That is why I keep reiterating that the crime against youth, against education, was committed by the government at the time when it eliminated history from the curriculum.

“There is also the responsibility to use these materials so that even if it is fiction, at least it is there and may spark interest.

“We didn’t just dismiss the past. We were curious about what happened during the British era, before independence. What happened at the very beginning of that colonial adventure?

“The youth have a responsibility to be curious and not just open their mouths and blab and dismiss everything. That is irresponsibility. We were responsible and curious to learn.”

 

The Punch

Tags: June 12 1993Wole Soyinka

The Reflector Newspaper's newsletters cover a variety of topics, from daily news to lifestyle content, markets info to medical news. Subscribe to get the latest information.

Unsubscribe
Previous Post

2027: Senate Pledges Electoral Reform, Constitutional Review

Next Post

Lawmakers Not Elected To Fight Tinubu, Oshiomhole Defends N’Assembly

Next Post
Obaseki Responsible For Philip Shaibu’s Switch To APC, Says Oshiomhole

Lawmakers Not Elected To Fight Tinubu, Oshiomhole Defends N’Assembly

RECOMMENDED NEWS

Yoruba Nation Agitator

29 Suspects Arraign For Invasion Of Oyo state Secretariat Over Clamour For Yoruba Nation

1 year ago

Premier League Clubs’ Summer Transfer Spending Hit £1.17 Billion

8 years ago
Crossdressing Is Not A Crime In Nigeria – Police Clarify

Police Nab Deadly Most Wanted Traffic Robber In Lagos

1 year ago
Another Kebbi Pilgrim Dies In Mecca

Another Kebbi Pilgrim Dies In Mecca

1 year ago

FOLLOW US

BROWSE BY CATEGORIES

  • Business
  • Crime
  • Economy
  • Education
  • Entertainment
  • Fashion & Style
  • Featured
  • Foreign News
  • Health
  • Interview
  • Love & Relationships
  • News
  • Opinions
  • Politics
  • Sport
  • Technology
  • Uncategorized

BROWSE BY TOPICS

#EndBadGovernance protest 2027 Elections ADC Akpabio Alaafin Of Oyo APC Atiku Bola Tinubu Buhari CBEX Coalition Dangote Refinery Defection Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Economic Hardship EFCC Emergency Rule Federal Government of Nigeria Fubara Fuel Price Fuel Price Hike Gunmen INEC JAMB Natasha National Power Grid Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) Nnamdi Kanu NNPC NNPCL Olubadan PDP PDP Crisis Peter Obi Petrol Price President Ahmed Bola Tinubu Rivers Administrator Rivers Assembly Rivers Crisis Senate Tinubu UTME VeryDarkMan WAEC Wike

POPULAR NEWS

  • Congo’s President Daughter’s Bedroom Surfaces Online

    Congo’s President Daughter’s Bedroom Surfaces Online

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Economy Bleeds As Naira Hits Record Low With N72.58 Depreiciation Against Dollar

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Old Naira Notes Remain Valid – CBN

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Gospel Actress, Flora Of Abattoir Movie Series Is Dead

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • JUST IN: FCT Minister Wike Leads Eid-El-Fitr Homage To President Tinubu Amid Death Rumors

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
The Reflector Newspaper

Our mission at The Reflector Newspaper is to cultivate a dynamic digital space where truth, integrity, and diversity thrive.

Follow us on social media:

Recent News

  • EFCC Withdraws Fraud Charges Against Otudeko
  • Akpabio Confirms Defection Of Four PDP Senators To APC
  • Reps To Probe Dangote, NNPC, Others Over Downstream Petroleum Sector Issues
  • Reconsider Planned Trip To Nigeria – US Advise Citizens

Category

  • Business
  • Crime
  • Economy
  • Education
  • Entertainment
  • Fashion & Style
  • Featured
  • Foreign News
  • Health
  • Interview
  • Love & Relationships
  • News
  • Opinions
  • Politics
  • Sport
  • Technology
  • Uncategorized

Recent News

EFCC Withdraws Fraud Charges Against Otudeko

EFCC Withdraws Fraud Charges Against Otudeko

July 23, 2025
Tinubu Sleeps Well Because Of You,  Opeyemi Bamidele Tells Akpabio

Akpabio Confirms Defection Of Four PDP Senators To APC

July 23, 2025
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Careers
  • Contact

Copyright © 2024 The Reflector Newspaper. Website designed by Mavens Designs.

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
  • Login
  • Home
  • News
  • Politics
  • Featured
  • Foreign News
  • Business
  • Opinions
  • Sport
  • Crime
  • Others
    • Education
    • Economy
    • Entertainment
    • Fashion & Style
    • Health
    • Interview
    • Love & Relationships
    • Technology

Copyright © 2024 The Reflector Newspaper. Website designed by Mavens Designs.

Verified by MonsterInsights