The Guardian/March 29, 2015

Nation’s foremost man of letters warns in interview of ‘a very sinister force in control’ of the incumbent president

“We’re talking about a very positive response by the public in terms of determination to register and vote but, you know, this has been one of the most vicious, unprincipled, vulgar and violent election exercises I have ever witnessed,” Soyinka reflected sadly. “I just hope we won’t go down as being the incorrigible giant of Africa.”

“He jumped up as if his seat was on fire,” he said of the moment Jonathan learned of the situation, adding that it was that night that the president made a public statement about it for the first time.