Famous entertainer Charles Oputa, also known as Charly Boy, criticized Nobel Prize winner Prof. Wole Soyinka for staying silent while Nigerians suffer hardships.
Charly Boy posted a video on his verified X microblog account. In the video, he remembered how Soyinka led a large protest against ex-president Goodluck Jonathan. This protest happened when Jonathan removed fuel subsidies, making petrol prices go from N87 to N120.
Charly Boy wondered why Soyinka is quiet now when Nigerians are facing tough times. He accused Soyinka of being a “tribalistic bigot.” Charly Boy said, “Uncle Wole Soyinka used to care deeply about Nigeria. He criticized leaders who were not good for Nigeria.
“As someone who also fights for social change, I saw Wole Soyinka as a hero and mentor. But now, I see him as a person who favors his own tribe, and I have lost all respect for him.
“I remember in the past, Wole Soyinka paid a high price for his activism. He was jailed and even had to leave the country because of military rulers.
“Lately, I don’t know where he stands because he doesn’t speak out against this current government.
“Uncle, is this recent renaming of the national theater a reward for your silence? I remember when you led a protest against Jonathan for removing the fuel subsidy and calling him a terrorist. You even insulted his wife. That was when $1 was equal to N190.
“Last December, you said Peter Obi is not fit to lead Nigeria and recently said Obi should not run in 2027, even though he is not in power.
“You said you would not criticize Tinubu until a year after he took office. It is now over a year, but you are still silent.”
To the man I once admired. It’s time for you to stop commenting on social issues. Enjoy your retirement with good health. God bless you.
Watch the full video: https://t.co/iWwlNi6wH3 pic.twitter.com/v3eQPTZtBM
— Charly Boy Area Fada 1 (@AreaFada1) July 20, 2024