Magazine
The writer who would be president
Soyinka at a protest rally against late Nigerian President Umaru Yar’Adua’s long absence without handing over power in the capital Abuja early this year. Photo/FILE
Posted Monday, August 9 2010 at 00:00
Afew days after acclaimed writer Wole Soyinka celebrated his 76th birthday on July 13, he made a profound announcement — that he would run for Nigeria’s presidency next year.
It is not yet a done deal as he has just formed a political party — the Democratic Front for People Federation (DFPF), which will choose its presidential contender through a democratic process. But analysts claim that he will most likely be its flag bearer.
When that happens, then the man famously known for saying, “A tiger does not proclaim its tigritude, it pounces,” would have lived up to the dictum.
Indeed, in writing career, Soyinka has pounced so hard that some people have wondered whether he has not become like the young ruler in one his plays, Kongi’s Harvest, who not only had a head that swelled too big for the pillow but also for his mother’s back.
With this announcement, that is what Soyinka’s critics might contend — that he has grown proud and headstrong.
However, close observers are not surprised.
Soyinka has never shied away from political activism.
In 1965, then only 31 years and already famous as a writer, he stormed a radio station with a pistol at the ready.
He was angry that a politician who had rigged an election was about to claim victory so he substituted the politician’s tape with one critical of the usurper.
Soyinka was arrested but later released on a technicality.
Soyinka has fought ferociously for justice in his 20 odd published works, which include drama, novels and poetry.
His first plays were The Swamp Dwellers and The Lion and The Jewel, a light comedy.
The Trial of Brother Jero (once a high school literature set book in Kenya) with its sequel, Jero’s Metamorphosis, A Dance of the Forests, Kongi’s Harvest and Madmen and Specialists are satirical comedies.
The Swamp Dwellers, The Strong Breed, The Road and The King’s Horseman are among Soyinka’s serious philosophic plays.
Purely autobiographical works include The Man Died: Prison Notes and the account of his childhood, Aké (1981).
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