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Nobel Laureate, Prof Wole Soyinka,has likened President Goodluck Jonathan to neo-Babylonian king, Nebuchadnezzar, describing him as worse. Going by the biblical account, Nebuchadnezzar at the height of his reign became too arrogant and God tampered with his heart and made him to eat grass and live like an animal for 7 years.
Speaking at a media briefing with the theme, “King Nebuchadnezzar – The Reign of Impunity”,the opening stated that, “I shall not insist that the historical/biblical figure of Nebuchadnezzar is uniquely apt for the pivotal figure of the ‘democratic’ history in the making at this moment – for one thing, Nebuchadnezzar was a nation builder and a warrior. One could argue even more convincingly for the figure of Balthazar, his successor, or indeed Emperor Nero as reference point – you all remember him – the emperor who took to fiddling while Rome was burning. However you should easily recall why I opted for King Nebuchadnezzar – the figure that currently sits on the top of our political pile himself evoked it, albeit in a context that virtuously disclaimed any similarities, even tendencies.”
Also speaking on the National Assembly crisis that led to the scaling of the gate by some lawmakers, Soyinka said, “The act of scaling gates and walls to fulfil their duty by the people must be set down as their finest hour. They must be applauded, not derided. If shame belongs anywhere, it belongs to the Inspector General of Police and his lavish adherence to illegal and unconstitutional instructions – to undermine a democratic structure, and one (to make matters worse) convoked in response to an emergency of dire concern.
“What sticks to this policeman (Abba) is worse than shame, it is infamy. Such a public servant deserves to be publicly pilloried, tried and meted a punishment that is appropriate to treasonable acts, if only to serve as a deterrent to others in positions of responsibility under the law. To demand less is to reduce ourselves below the status of free citizens of a free nation. For this latest outrage, one in an escalating series of impunity, the buck stops yet again at the presidency and that incumbent, Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, continues to surprise us in ways that very few have conjectured.”
Reacting to Prof. Wole Soyinka’s statement, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Public Affairs, Dr. Doyin Okupe said, “Our eminent Professor also sadly plays the ostrich as he failed to reprimand governor Rotimi Amaechi who is the national champion of impunity and official reckless ness. The administration of President Goodluck Jonathan prides itself as the most liberal, keeping faith with adherence to rule of law and tolerance.”
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