I DID NOT ENDORSE ANY CANDIDATE - SHOYINKA

Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, on Thursday dismissed claims that he had endorsed any presidential and governorship candidate 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 politicians “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,” and commended the efforts of a former Secretary-General of the United Nations, Kofi Annan and a former Secretary-General of Commonwealth, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, in ensuring the success of the accord.
According to the Nobel Laureate, if the peace pact is 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 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.