Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, on Thursday dismissed claims that he had endorsed some politicians as his presidential and governorship candidates ahead of the February elections.

Soyinka, in a piece titled, ‘Identity Thieves and the 2015 Election Peace Accord,’ warned those spreading the rumour of his purported endorsement of candidates “to be less gullible, and avoid becoming cheap conduits for the deception industry.”

He said, “Let me thus seize the occasion of the Abuja accord to state categorically that I have never made a statement endorsing any presidential or governorship contestant. All such attributions are fabrications by faceless, often self-appointed agents of deception, and should be publicly pilloried.

“Whenever I choose to declare support for a candidate – as is my electoral right – I shall ensure that I deploy a medium that places my authorship beyond dispute.”

Reacting to the peace pact signed by President Goodluck Jonathan and Maj. Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (retd.) on Wednesday to ensure violence-free polls, Soyinka said he was impressed with the outcome of the meeting.

He described the pact as a “positive step in the direction of democracy.”

He commended the efforts of a former Secretary-General of the United Nation, Kofi Annan, and a former Secretary-General of Commonwealth, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, in ensuring the success of the accord.

The Nobel Laureate said if the peace pact was adhered to with sincerity, it would ensure a wholesome space for future elections and avert further violence.

“It might even come close to what the democratic ideal should be, as canvassed by others, including Governor Babatunde Fashola a few years ago,” Soyinka added.

He, however, said he was disappointed that the communiqué issued after the peace meeting made no reference to the victims of political violence.

He said, “From personal interest, however, I was disappointed that the communiqué makes no reference to the violence done to members of the electorate whose identities are stolen, abused and debased during this exercise.

“It is rapidly becoming commonplace to encounter totally fictitious statements, even entire interviews published and attributed to unsuspecting authorship. This criminal proceeding has even involved the cloning of media mastheads to which non-existent interviews are then attached. To render it in local parlance, this is political 419, and of the most despicable brand.

“While it would be unjust to place direct responsibility on the contestants, one must stress that they also have a moral responsibility to denounce these dirty tricksters in the strongest terms, even in their own interest.

“The resentment inspired in victims of such cowardly conduct cannot but impact on their own political image. The media must also protect itself by taking necessary measures against such unprincipled confusionists. It is the democratic right of every citizen to know exactly who is saying what on issues that affect their political choices.

“I take a less serious – indeed, near carnivalesque view of the opportunistic and sometimes de-contextualised use of genuine quotes from statements I have made in the past – that is a different matter entirely. As a non-pensioned writer, however, and thus dependent on the proceeds of intellectual property, such users should expect to hear from my literary agents.

“I join General Abdulsalami and others in hoping that 2015 prove a live-and-learn election year, not a do-or-die!”

Source: http://www.punchng.com/news/i-didnt-endorse-any-candidate-soyinka/

Shame on all the desperate PDPígs

Another PDP lie busted. All of a sudden Jonathan and his camp are busy looking for support from Nigerians they have insulted althrough the years.

Just because the Prof asked Jonathan to call his "husband" the Sheppo to order, all hell was let loose.

Nigerians want Change and Change we will get. Jonathan cannot stop it.

Dats non of my biz.if u lyk endorse abi undorse.shey na only u b 170million pple?

I think Nigerians should be able to choose whoever they want to vote for regardless of endorsements from certain individuals.

People endorse candidates based on their own personal opinion of the candidate (which may or may not be correct)

Let no one be swayed by endorsements. Everyone has a mind of his own so let everyone make his choice.

I never thought he did in the first place, Or was PDP also spreading lies

Let these propagandas stop for goodness sake.

This man would never support a clueless coward like GEJ.

2015 is the year.
Change is the Slogan.

Aiit..GMB OR GEJ, MAY THE BEST OPTION FOR THIS COUNTRY @ THIS CRITICAL MOMENT WIN...VOTE WISELY, YOUR VOTE IS YOUR POWER....#SAYNOTOVIOLENCE

No presidential CANDIDATE is endorse-able right now!

One begins to wonder where the news of the endorsement came from. Tanoids sha!

Regardless of what anyone says. Nigerians should know that here comes an opportunity to change the future of the generation yet unborn. Should we let our children know that we cannot live in peace with any meaningful development because of ethic and religious differences. Lets take the right decision to make this nation great for posterity.


#PrayforNigeria. #SayNoToElectionViolence. #TeamChange

who cares

You don't have to do that sir.

PDP and lies.

I knew it all along it was fake..a noble Laurent endorsing a clueless drunk otuoke man,that treachous.

only a conscienceless fellow would endorse PDP/GEJ reelection.

sai GMB.

So PDP lied when they were saying he endorsed Jonathan? I knew it.

For me it is Sai Buhari all the way!

Believe me, this will never make FP.

Prof, I know your plight. You care not, like me for
neither Jonathan nor Buhari. Hmmmm Igbos we are finished...God save Nigeria

blym4real:
who cares

Thumbs up!

egift:
Another PDP lie busted. All of a sudden Jonathan and his camp are busy looking for support from Nigerians they have insulted althrough the years.

Just because the Prof asked Jonathan to call his "husband" the Sheppo to order, all hell was let loose.

Nigerians want Change and Change we will get. Jonathan cannot stop it.

#teamanythingbutjonathan
#teamchange
#saibuhari