Soyinka dissociates self from membership of AAD

Nobel Laureate, Wole Soyinka has refuted reports linking him with membership of the Alliance for the Defence of Democracy (ADD).

In a statement yesterday, he noted that although he was invited to a meeting on discussions for a consensus candidate, but he did not attend the meeting.

He, however, stressed his decision to fully endorse, and encouraged efforts of ADD and of other motivated groups to identify a viable candidate that could challenge the two major contenders for Aso Rock.

“I wish to correct the report in a national daily that confers on me membership of the Alliance for the Defence of Democracy, dedicated – among other aims – to identifying a Consensus Candidate for the coming presidential election.

“Neither did I attend the meeting that took place at Sheraton Hotel on Thursday, January 31, 2019. I, therefore, could not have been part of whatever resolutions were agreed upon at that meeting.

“I was invited, but I did not attend. I must state, however, that I fully endorse, and have encouraged the efforts of ADD and of other similarly motivated groups to identify a candidate to take the battle to the two parties currently monopolizing the political space and throw up a viable challenger for the occupancy of Aso Rock.

“I am not a member of any Conveners’ Council or Third Force. There is cooperation among several groups and individuals on various levels, but it is essential to clarify that my interventionist role is clarified so as not to compromise my own objective preferences, which will be made only after Citizen Forum has concluded its own line of inquiry and guided itself accordingly,” he stated.

He, however, added that he would join in efforts to collaborate, monitor and collate preferences, act in the same cause, as well as aspire to a creative and effective convergence, but in full respect for the independence of the various groupings.