Soyinka: Amaechi Showed True Courage by Challenging Tinubu at APC Primary.

Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka, has praised former Rivers State governor Rotimi Amaechi for his boldness during the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential primary in 2022. According to Soyinka, Amaechi’s refusal to step down for President Bola Tinubu was a sign of true courage and a moment that gave Tinubu “a dose of his own medicine.”

Soyinka made these remarks at the 60th birthday celebration of Amaechi, who also served as Minister of Transportation under President Muhammadu Buhari. Speaking at the event, Soyinka recounted how he watched the APC presidential primary live from Abu Dhabi and was deeply impressed by Amaechi’s fighting spirit.

“The main reason I had to be here today is first of all that I admire Rotimi Amaechi’s fighting spirit. And it’s a very consistent one, and the most memorable for me, because I watched this event live on TV all the way from Abu Dhabi. I wanted to see the drama of all the primaries going on during the election. I wasn’t really here but I said I want to watch this contest and I’m glad I did. Because it gave me a great, most malicious pleasure, rascally if you like, pleasure — to see the incumbent president being given a dose of his own medicine,” Soyinka said.

He explained that Amaechi’s decision to stay in the race reminded him of Tinubu’s own defiance during the Olusegun Obasanjo era, when Tinubu stood up against attempts to change the constitution for a third presidential term. Soyinka recalled how Tinubu was once the “last man standing” against a powerful president, and now, in a twist of fate, Amaechi gave Tinubu a similar experience during the APC primary.

Soyinka continued, “While everybody was, you know, falling over one another conceding, there was one individual who got on the podium and said no, I’m not conceding. I didn’t come all the way here to commit ‘lúle’. And that man was Rotimi Amaechi. And I said this is what democracy is all about.”

In the 2022 APC presidential primary, Bola Tinubu won with 1,271 votes, defeating 13 other candidates. Rotimi Amaechi came second with 316 votes, while then Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo came third with 235 votes.

Soyinka’s comments highlight the importance of standing firm for one’s beliefs, even when under pressure. He praised Amaechi for not giving in to political pressure and for showing what true democracy means—having the courage to stand alone if necessary.

Conclusion:
The words of Professor Wole Soyinka serve as a reminder that democracy thrives when leaders are willing to challenge the status quo and stand up for their convictions. Amaechi’s actions during the APC primary, as celebrated by Soyinka, show that courage and integrity are still valued in Nigerian politics. As the political landscape continues to evolve, moments like these inspire others to defend their principles, no matter the odds.

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