Charly Boy: Soyinka Can Never Be the Man Chinua Achebe Was

Renowned Nigerian singer and activist, Charles Oputa, popularly known as Charly Boy, has recently expressed his disappointment in Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka, over his recent comments on Nigerian politics. According to Charly Boy, Soyinka has reduced himself to a “boyiboyi” (a term used to describe a sycophant or someone who flatters politicians) and can never be compared to the literary giant Chinua Achebe.

The disagreement between Charly Boy and Soyinka started after the latter made some critical remarks about the vice-presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmend, and the ‘Obidients’ political movement, which Soyinka described as one of the most repulsive and off-putting concoctions he has ever encountered in any political arena.

Charly Boy, who was a strong supporter of Peter Obi of the Labour Party during the 2023 elections, took to Twitter to express his disappointment in Soyinka, saying that he has lost the respect he had for the Nobel laureate. He stated that Soyinka, who was once highly revered, has now reduced himself to a sycophant for criminal politicians, which is a big shame.

The comments made by Soyinka, a former political prisoner and one of Nigeria’s most respected writers, have caused a stir among Nigerians, with some opinion holders suggesting that he should have stayed away from partisan politics as he has always done. Others, however, have hailed his stance and see his critical comments as a necessary part of holding politicians accountable.

The disagreement between Charly Boy and Soyinka underscores the growing divide in Nigerian politics, with different groups and individuals expressing their opinions on the state of the nation and the actions of political actors. While some see Soyinka’s critical comments as necessary, others, like Charly Boy, see it as a betrayal of the values that he once stood for. As Nigeria prepares for the 2023 general elections, it remains to be seen how the different factions will come together to address the challenges facing the country.