By Akinwale Kasali
Nobel Laureate and activist, Prof. Wole Soyinka has accused the President Muhammadu Buhari administration of intimidating and silencing Nigerians dissatisfied with his governance, using Security agents.
Soyinka expressed his dissatisfaction with the way security agencies muzzle Nigerians when they come together to deliberate and exchange ideas.
This, he said, signals fear on the part of the government, which reduces the people and the government itself.
The Ogun State born global icon made this disclosure at the unveiling of an art gallery in Badagry, Lagos State, in commemoration of his 85th birthday.
It would be recalled that last week, the Police, Army, the Department of State Security and other security agencies sealed off the venue of a symposium in which Soyinka, Femi Falana and other activists were to speak on the security situation of the country and the arrest of Omoyele Sowore by the Federal Government.
Police vehicles with heavily armed personnel were positioned at Oregun, Lagos, venue of the symposium tagged: “Democracy, State Repressionand the State of Insecurity in Nigeria”, organised by the Coalition for Revolution.
Soyinka said it is germane to send strong message and warning to the government to stop intimidating, muzzling and trampling on the fundamental human rights of Nigerians of like minds, coming together to share ideas.
“You’re reducing them as human beings and you’re also reducing yourselves as human beings, because it means you’re afraid to listen.”
Soyinka also cautioned Nigerians not to believe everything they read on social media. He said they should, instead, take such online materials “with a pinch of salt.”
