The Nation reports that Wole Soyinka made these statements at an event in Lagos on Friday, June 16th. He asserted that the misuse of social media is rapidly regressing humanity due to the employment of abusive language.
Soyinka spoke in Lagos at the unveiling of his latest volume of interventions titled: “The Putin Files,” at Freedom Park Lagos. He confessed to not being a fan of social media platforms.
“I don’t tweet, I don’t use WhatsApp. I tried WhatsApp, but I quit,” he shared.
While discussing the book, Soyinka stated, “The Nigerian project, I must admit, has become almost mortally heartbreaking. Do I still believe in it? I’m no longer sure, but we first need to rid ourselves of the tyranny of the ignorant and the opportunism of the timekeepers.”
“Anyway, there isn’t much else to engage on a participatory basis. Of course, there’s always the possibility of a revolution, with a clear objective and acceptance of all risks that will come with it, including the corrected mistakes.”
“Revolutions, however, are not based on the impulse of a speculative right to power. Regardless, until that time, the structures that ensure fair and equitable cohabitation must be protected from partisan appropriation – be it material incitement, fake news, or verbal terrorism – the latter being the contribution of the one who is appointed to assume co-leadership of the nation, no less.”
According to him, it is the whole concept of democracy that needs to be reconsidered.
He added, “Revolution does not mean aligning behind the nearest available symbol. When a symbol does appear, however, we are still obliged to scrutinize all aspects of what is fortuitously on offer and continue to safeguard our freedoms every step of the way.”
He said that Putin, as used in his book, is both a metaphor and a reality, adding, “We cannot be shielded from what is happening.”
