Poet, playwright, philosopher & Nobel laureate Wole Soyinka has launched a political party named the ‘Democratic Front for People’s Federation’ in Nigeria ahead of the upcoming presidential elections.
He said the new party is aimed at fighting corruption and giving hope to youngsters.
Excerpts: FIDELIS ODOGBO Writer & Education Consultant The formation of a political party by Wole Soyinka is a very good development for Nigerians.
It is really a step in the right direction.
There are many good people who want to change Nigeria for better, but do not have the right platform to do so.
Soyinka’s party will be of great help to such people.
I think his active participation in politics will force our corrupt politicians to think about the damage they have done to the country.
Even if the party does not make any serious impact on the coming elections, it will certainly come up with a manifesto on how to tackle problems in Nigeria.
I hope that corrupt politicians will not be allowed to enter Soyinka’s party.
MUSA ADENIYI Document Controller at Retaj I praise Soyinka for launching a new political party.
It will serve as a platform to challenge the corrupt political groups.
I hope sincere and like-minded people will work with him to save our great nation.
His Democratic Front for People’s Federation will surely make a political formation with only patriotic people as its members to represent respect, reputation, character, service to humanity and good governance.
I hope the wanton display of wealth in the face of abject poverty will soon be over in Nigeria.
I congratulate Soyinka for trying to cleanss our country’s dirty politics.
I know the task is difficult, but there is no harm in trying.
LAWAL OLUSHOLA Accountant The political scene in Nigeria is murky and I have doubt whether Soyinka’s party will be able to make much of a difference.
I think he should have remained what he is and wielded his pen with more vigour.
I fear that his hard-earned reputation as an activist and a critic will go for a toss in the dingy world of politics.
He should remain an elder statesman, activist and an objective commentator.
I don’t see him achieving any tangible result in the political arena.
We love him because of his literary prowess and oratory.
I want him to remain so.
He should also remember that when the late human right lawyer and activist, Gani Fawehinmi, tried the same thing during 2003 general elections, his party failed miserably.
FARAMADE BETHANY AKANNI Qatar Petroleum staff I believe Soyinka has taken the right step.
We should give him full support in order to strengthen the nation’s young democracy.
The politics of Nigeria needs people of his calibre and integrity to take the country forward.
So far, we have been suffering at the hands of dishonest and corrupt leaders.
Majority of the political parties are full of illiterates, who only fight to serve their interests.
UGOCHUKWU OGBONNA Chemist I think Prof Soyinka’s new political party is a step in the right direction.
I do not agree with those who think that the move will lead to whittling down of his activist prowess.
I congratulate Soyinka for registering a party that was denied registration in 2002.
Although the party is not expected to make much impact on the forthcoming elections, it will certainly go a long way in setting the political agenda in Nigeria.
The new party has said that its basic role is to make sure that things are done in the right way in Nigerian political system.
With Soyinka as its national chairman, I hope the party will ensure a free and fair election.
Its activists can play a major role in curbing election fraud.
CORDELIA BELLO Qatar Petroleum staff I think that Soyinka is capable of leading our country.
He has the aura to attract youngsters who can play a major role in reforming the country’s political system.
We must support the new party in order to ensure that we have a responsive and accountable leadership which can curb corruption.
The upcoming elections are a real test for us and we must not waste the opportunity .. KALU OKORE Political Analyst Soyinka’s entry in politics is a strong message for Nigerian politicians.
Now they must know that the political game will be no more played in old fashion.
They must now realise that they have to be on the side of the people, meaning that promises made during election campaigns must be fulfilled.
Prof Soyinka, Nigeria’s first and only Nobel laureate, has been a long-time activist.
He was detained by the government during the civil war in Nigeria.
It is interesting to see that he is now redirecting his energy into mainstream politics.
His party may not win the elections but his presence will surely keep the other players on their toes and force them to make realistic promises to the electorate and fulfil them later.
I believe he will continue to be a strong critic of unpopular moves and actions of the government.
Public affairs have suffered a serious setback in Nigeria because of lack of strong opposition.
I think Prof Soyinka will emerge as the voice of the people.
ABIDOGUN BIMBOLA Social Scientist I am surprised that Soyinka has decided to enter politics.
However, I think this move will be a wake-up call for our corrupt politicians and they will try to mend their ways.
I fear that the Nobel laureate may lose his sheen as politics is a field where it is very difficult to remain clean forever.
I wish him good luck.
ADEDAPO ALUKO Building Engineer Wole Soyinka’s party has provided a good platform to rightthinking and progressive Nigerians to join hands and save the nation.
It is really good to see that the most vocal social critic in Nigeria has opted to form a new party to help the struggling masses.
I think this is the only way to confront selfish and power-drunk leaders who are hell bent on ruining our nation.
KELECHI OKONKWO Planning Engineer I am happy with Soyinka’s decision to float a new party.
Though the new formation is not expected to do very well at the hustings, it will certainly be a formidable opposition.
We are tired of old politicians who have hardly anything new to offer.
Soyinka has always been in the forefront of fighting against corruption and knows Nigeria very well.
We must support him.
IDRIS OLA OLADEJI Safety Officer Soyinka’s party has provided a ray of hope for the common man in Nigeria.
We must support this group that, I think, will change the lives of the people.
It is synonymous with respect, reputation, character, service to humanity and good governance.
This is a welcome development and will change the political landscape of our country.
MORONTOUN BOLA Teacher We salute the effort of Soyinka to salvage the nation from the clutches of corrupt leaders.
We should support his party with all our might.
The Nobel Laureate is the right person to rule our country, as he has been our role model for long.
We know the task is difficult, but if we try we will surely make a difference in the lives of the struggling masses.
EFFIONG EBONG Qatar Gas staff I really believe in what Professor Soyinka said while launching the new party.
“The DFPF, for now, is disinterested in the overall national scene.
But after taking control in one state, one council, one ward, would begin to reach out through example to others, gradually evolving a civic rule that governs and performs through mutual collaboration,” he said.
He has really given us an opportunity to serve our country and we must not let the chance go by.
The political and economic scene in the country is dismal, and Soyinka is the only hope.
JOHNSON ADU Safety Officer This move was long overdue.
We needed a party that could represent the people.
I hope the DFPF will deliver the goods and groom leaders from the grassroots level to the local government, state and federal levels.
Nigeria is in dire need of good leaders and Soyinka has provided us a platform in this regard.
IROLE AUSTIN Architect I think Soyinka did the right thing by joining politics.
I salute him for his courage to form a new party.
He must lead us in the fight against corruption and political anarchy.
The task is difficult but not insurmountable.
He must move step by step and his dream of reforming the country will be fulfilled.
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