There has been much debate following the comments made by Nobel laureate Prof. Wole Soyinka, who referred to the comments made by the Vice Presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Datti Baba Ahmed, as “inciting” during the recent elections. In response, the Obidients (as the followers of Obi are called) vehemently defended their principal and by extension, their position, and Prof. Soyinka labeled them as “fascists.”
One may wonder if the actions and behavior of the Obidients have indeed validated the label of “fascists” given to them by Soyinka. It is interesting to note that the Obidients selectively focused on certain words to form the basis of their defense and attack against Prof. Soyinka, reminiscent of the behavior of fascists.
A Similar Scenario
Before delving deeper, let’s draw a parallel between the current political situation and the religious sphere in Nigeria. As we are aware, Nigeria has two major religious sects, with several sub-sects and denominations. An unfortunate event that occurred on May 23, 2022, comes to mind: an NCE II student of Home Economics at the Shehu Shagari College of Education in Sokoto state was brutally killed and burned to death by her classmates, who were Islamic faithfuls, for alleged blasphemy. This extreme action was taken in defense of their “prophet,” even at the cost of killing their own classmate, who might have been a very good friend to them. Such extremism knows no boundaries. Extremists do not know where and when to draw the line.
In the aftermath of this event, many Nigerians condemned the actions of these Islamic faithfuls, who resorted to violence in the name of religion. On social media, we have witnessed similar behavior from the other side of the religious divide, where Christians also resort to wishing death and evil upon those they perceive as blasphemous against their “Bible God.” The question arises: What is the difference between these Islamic and Christian extremists who use the tools available to them to suppress and intimidate their opposition? The answer is not much. They both exhibit extremist tendencies and are intolerant of criticism or disagreement.
Shehu Sani Confirmed the Fascism of the Obedients
Returning to the realm of politics, let’s examine the reactions to Prof. Soyinka’s comments. Senator Shehu Sani recently tweeted in defense of the Obidients and attacked Prof. Soyinka, stating that in 2011, any Northerner who opposed the ambition of Buhari was considered an infidel, and after the elections, mobs resorted to violence against members of the opposition party, killing their family members and burning down their houses. Senator Sani’s tweet, which was applauded and shared by many Obidients, unwittingly confirmed Prof. Soyinka’s assertion that the Obidients exhibit fascist behavior, just as the Buhari supporters who allegedly resorted to violence against the opposition in 2011.
There is a clear pattern here: fascists intimidate and suppress their opposition, do not tolerate criticism or disagreement, and seek to control others.
From your personal experience, before and after the elections, have the Obidients displayed any of these characteristics? Have they stopped cyberbullying and supported those with different perspectives or supported different candidates? Have they wished harm upon those who do not align with their views or support their chosen candidate? These are important questions to consider in determining whether the label of “Fascists” given to the Obidients by Prof. Soyinka holds true or not.
Humanity is Buried for Political Difference.
Permit me to bring to your notice, two events that played out after the declaration of the APC candidate, Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the President-elect. The first event occurred in the Southwest, in Ekiti, with heavy rainfall destroying over 100 houses, rendering the residents homeless and their properties destroyed. (This was reported by Punch on the 5th of March) – Obidients celebrated the loss of properties in Ekiti because their “messiah” didn’t win there. I read comments like “Serves them right.” “Their result came first and they have been dealt with, first.” “This is their reward for voting for an evil.” The second event is the reported killings, “allegedly” carried out by Herdsmen in some Benue communities. Obidients jubilated over the deaths of the victims simply because their preferred Candidate didn’t win in Benue State. I remember a comment that reads “Let them waste away one by one since they have decided to remain in the hands of their oppressors by voting for XYZ party” – I had to take a break from Social media, at some point as I couldn’t help the state of my mental health. Where have we lost it? Why have we condoned inhumanity because of our political differences?
A Ponder On Soyinka’s Words
In a nutshell, and to answer the question “Are Obidients truly fascists?” – let us start with Prof. Wole Soyinka. The question is, what did Soyinka say or do?
Firstly, Prof. Wole Soyinka only condemned the remarks made by Datt-Baba-Ahmed, the vice-presidential (VP) candidate of the Labour Party(LP), brandishing Datti’s remarks as containing “Fascistic language.”
Recall that Datti had, regardless of the pronouncement of Bola-Ahmed Tinubu of the APC as the president-elect by the electoral umpire, said, the country has no president-elect and “Tinubu would be leading an unconstitutional government if he is sworn into office because the APC candidate has not met the requirements of the law.” Datti continued by saying “It will be the end of democracy, if Tinubu is sworn in.”
Prof. Wole Soyinka faulted Datti’s remarks, as he, on his part, felt the remarks were inciting.
Obidients, responding to Prof’s reactions to Datti’s remarks, came at Prof in their numbers, venting their anger, bitterness, ill-mannerism, and whatnot. The questions are, is it that Datti’s remarks were/are not inciting or that they should be brushed aside since it is from the camp of the “Messiah”, Mr. Peter Obi?
Some Obidients opined that Soyinka wasn’t the right person to speak on this topic because he is one of the elites who fashioned the “weapon” Buhari on Nigerians through the 2015 polls. But, here is a question, will it be right to say, Obasanjo is indeed the right person to support the presidential ambition of Peter Obi and of course “Igbo presidency” after he indeed led the Army to massacre the same ethnic group, about 60 years ago and indeed drummed support for President Buhari 8 years ago? – What is with this double standard and hypocrisy? Do we, indeed, believe that it would be wise to trash the advice of your father’s enemy if they were advising you against someone seeking to take your life?
Responding to the cyberbullying of the Obidients, Wole Soyinka, as reported by TheCable, released a statement that reads in part:
“It would appear that a record discharge of toxic sludge from our notorious smut factory is currently clogging the streets and sewers of the Republic of Liars. It goes to prove the point that provoked the avalanche EXACTLY! The seeds of incipient fascism in the political arena have evidently matured. A climate of fear is being generated…”
Did the reactions of Obidients to Soyinka’s initial remarks prove the EXACT point he was trying to make or not? – I will leave you to answer that.
I will close this article by saying that “The ones who are in the frame do not get to see the picture”
It is either Obidients learn to accept the tag that suits them or indeed, have a rethink of their actions or lack of them or indeed Prof Soyinka was right to say “The refusal to entertain corrective criticism, even differing perspectives of the same position has become a badge of honour and certificate of commitment.”
Nice one.
I love this keep up the good work
It is a nice piece. I just believe personally every Nigerian supporting or criticising obidents are doing so for their personal interest Woke Soyika and Obasajo inclusive. Keep up with the good work my brother, the sky is your starting point.