Why I Will Soon Be Left Alone By Myself - Soyinka

Professor Wole Soyinka has expressed his concern about being falsely accused of hatred towards certain ethnic groups and has warned that he may eventually be left alone by himself due to such erroneous claims.

He made these remarks during a public exchange event titled “Isese, Samarkand and other Markets of the Mind,” held at Freedom Park in Lagos on August 25, 2023.

During the exchange, Soyinka not only called for the release of Mubarak Bala and other prisoners of conscience in Nigerian prisons but also highlighted the virtues of the Isese traditional religion, emphasizing its significance in every aspect of an individual’s life and well-being.

Soyinka stressed that bigotry is not confined to any particular religion or ethnic group; it transcends religious and ethnic boundaries. He mentioned that unfounded accusations of hatred have been directed at him based on his calls for justice.

He stated, “I have heard talks that Wole Soyinka hates the Muslims simply because he is demanding justice. They say I hate the Muslims. Why should I be surprised? After the elections, they say I hate the Igbo. Very soon, they will say I hate the Hausa. Then, in the end, I will hate the Yoruba. And finally, it will be self-hate. I will be left alone by myself.”

Soyinka also acknowledged the presence of bigots across various religions, including Islam and Christianity, and encouraged people to address the substantive issues he raises rather than resorting to baseless accusations.

He concluded by emphasizing the importance of upholding the constitution and not flouting it with impunity in a country that is supposed to be united under one constitution.