Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka has turned down an invitation from the United States Consulate in Nigeria to attend a visa reinterview.
The literary icon said he will not take part in the process under the administration of President Donald Trump, whom he compared to former Ugandan leader Idi Amin.
The invitation was sent to Nigerians holding B1/B2 visas, with Soyinka’s appointment fixed for Thursday, September 11.
In an interview with The News, he explained that he initially thought the letter was a scam because he had never received such a request before, but later confirmed its authenticity.
Soyinka questioned the timing of the exercise, saying that September 11 is a day of mourning for Americans and should not be used for bureaucratic matters.
He said the Consulate should have suspended activities on that date in remembrance of lives lost in the 2001 attacks.
The playwright also stated that he had no interest in pursuing travel to countries where he does not feel welcome.
According to him, he has more pressing commitments than seeking visas and would not step into an embassy linked to a government he distrusts.
He maintained that his decision was not personal but rooted in principle, adding that he would rather cut ties than honour the reinterview on September 11.
He said: “Are we looking in the case of the United States, at the white Idi Amin, for instance? If you look very closely at the conduct, the behaviour, the mentality of the present incumbent president, you find out there are Idi Amins of different colours. And if Idi Amin says I should come to his embassy, I would think twice before going because I don’t know what is waiting for me on the other side of the door.”
1SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER NOW
Support MATAZ ARISING’ journalism of integrity and credibility.
Good journalism ensure the possibility of a good society, an accountable democracy, and a transparent government.
We ask you to consider making a modest support to this noble endeavour.
TEXT AD: To advertise here – Email ad@matazarising.com
LATEST POSTS
-
British woman, unborn baby die in Nigeria; family seeks help to bring bodies home
MaTaZ ArIsInGDallas, Texas A 40-year-old British woman who relocated to Nigeria to start a new life with her husband has died alongside her unborn baby after developing sepsis. Claire Chadwick, who was 37 weeks pregnant, reportedly suffered septic shock after her baby girl died in the womb. In a report by Daily Mail UK, Chadwick…
-
Fani-Kayode, Seyi Tinubu, three others receive senior counsel rank
Seyi Tinubu
-
2027: Atiku, Peter Obi have nothing to offer Nigerians — Wike
MaTaZ ArIsInGDallas, Texas Wike said Obi lacked the capacity to provide alternative leadership, while Atiku failed to make meaningful contributions when he had the opportunity to serve in government. He made the remarks on Thursday during his monthly media chat in Port Harcourt, where he expressed confidence in President Bola Tinubu’s political strength ahead of…
