SOYINKA ATTACKS CHRISTIANS, MUSLIMS & BUSH

[ROSSIKE]

Africa's greatest writer and Nobel Literature laureate Prof. Wole Soyinka, has launched a ferocious attack on Christians, Muslims and George W Bush.



Credible Candidate Won't Win

April Polls, Says Soyinka

By Paul Odili

Vanguard Lagos



NOBEL laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka said yesterday in Lagos that he did not see a "credible candidate," winning next month's presidential elections. He also described religious fundamentalism as the greatest threat to national unity and world peace, and dismissed President George Bush of the United States of America (USA) as a "dangerous fanatic."

Prof. Soyinka shared these thoughts, as a guest lecturer at the inaugural lecture of Independent Newspapers. The lecture which held at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA), was attended by many prominent personalities, including Gov. Lucky Igbinedion of Edo State, Gov. James Ibori of Delta State, Chief Abel Ubeku, Prof. Anya O. Anya, and Ambassador Hamzat Ahmadu, amongst other dignitaries.

The paper entitled: "Project Nigeria, making it work," was however, modified by Soyinka to: "Project nationhood, the chosen against all," which brought a global perspective on the danger of mixing religious fundamentalism with state policy.

Prof. Soyinka, in examining these threats posed by the chosen likened it to the behaviour of Nigeria's power elite, who behave as if they have a messianic right to rule. " There is a permanent struggle between the chosen and others. As soon as the nation rids itself of one sect of the chosen there is another sect," he said.

"Previously, the cult of the chosen wore military garb, today there is the possibility of the dictatorship of the chosen. They survived by promoting a state within a state."

Examining the religious angle to the dangers of the chosen, Prof. Soyinka averred: "Waves and waves of religious fundamentalism debases religion, whether Christianity, Islam or Buddhism. Many crimes have been committed in the name of religion.

The philosophy that sustained Nazism was not the philosophy for the amelioration of the condition of the poor, on the contrary it was the philosophy of religion, a philosophy of the chosen versus all others. The common denominator that unites these beliefs is the fanatical disposition of: 'I am right, you are wrong,' and which they can transform to I am right you are dead. We on our part will, however, continue to promote inclusiveness, life and creativity," he said.

When questioned on whether he thought the April general elections could produce a credible person outside the chosen, Prof. Soyinka demurred, arguing: "There are credible candidates outside the chosen, the fact, however is will they be successful candidates, I have my doubts. We have to start working from now to make sure that at the next elections a credible candidate does have a chance."

And reviewing the current stand-off between the USA and Iraq, Prof. Soyinka described President Bush as a 'dangerous fanatic," asking the world to support the United Nations.

"We must embrace the burden of bringing authority back to where it naturally belongs... the United Nations," the renowned writer told guests. As he spoke, the United States and Britain forged ahead in their diplomatic battle to win support for a UN resolution they had co-sponsored, with Spain, which would authorise military strikes against Iraq if it does not disarm by March 17. The White House has made it clear that it will ignore the will of the UN Security Council if the body fails to endorse its military plans.

Soyinka said: "George W Bush is one of the most dangerous fanatics ever to bestride the earth" "The present occupant of the White House," would be revealed as being "blinded by a messianic fervour. George Bush (Junior), like his running mate, Osama bin Laden, serves as an illustration of the many contradictory notes in the spawning ground of evangelical extremism," comparing the US leader to his sworn enemy, the leader of the violent Islamic radical group, al-Qaeda. (Published Wednesday, March 13, 2003)

[Mudi E]

All these we already know. What else is new?

[cchinukw]

A pot calling the kettle black. ow about the pirates of UI wen him create and his legacy of cultism in Nigerian Universities.

The man should just sharrap if he has nothing constructive to say.

[Thought]

cchinukw,

Very apt. The lyrical genius of Soyinka, imo, is overshadowed by is passivity when it comes to real change. He talks alot but he hardly ever does anything.