Nobel Laureate says Jonathan is like Nebuchadnezzar, Presidency reacts

Nobel Laureate, Wole Soyinka has criticized President Goodluck Jonathan comparing him to biblical tyrant, King Nebuchadnezzar.

Soyinka also condemned Jonathan for encouraging a reign of impunity, using the recent police invasion of the National Assembly complex as an example.

The 80-year-old playwright stated this during a press conference in Lagos while giving a speech titled “King Nebuchadnezzar – The Reign of Impunity.”

“I shall not insist that the biblical figure of Nebuchadnezzar is uniquely apt for the pivotal figure of the ‘democratic’ history in the making at this moment,” he said.

“For one thing, Nebu was a nation builder and a warrior. One could argue even more convincingly for the figure of Balthazar, his successor, or indeed Emperor Nero as reference point – you all remember him – the emperor who took to fiddling while Rome was burning.”

“However you should easily recall why I opted for King Nebu – the figure that currently sits on the top of our political pile himself evoked it, albeit in a context that virtuously disclaimed any similarities, even tendencies.”

“Perhaps he meant it at the time when he claimed: ‘I am no Nebuchadnezzar.’ Perhaps not. One judges leaders on acts however, not pronouncements, which are often as reliable as electoral promises, “Soyinka added

The Presidency, represented by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Public Affairs, Doyin Okupe, swiftly responded to Soyinka’s comments and accused him of “playing the Ostrich.”

Okupe said:

"It is quite saddening to note that Prof Wole had become so close to the opposition party so much that he has stopped giving appreciable and unbiased contribution to national topics.”

“Our eminent professor also sadly plays the ostrich as he failed to reprimand Governor Amaechi, who is the ‘national champion of impunity and official recklessness’. The administration of President Goodluck Jonathan prides itself as the most liberal, keeping faith with adherence to rule of law and tolerance.”

President Jonathan has been previously criticized by former President, Olusegun Obasanjo who accused him of destroying Nigeria’s democracy with his evil actions while also comparing him to late military dictator, Sani Abacha.