Dr. Charles Apokei, a Nigerian-American physician, has publicly questioned Nobel laureate Professor Wole Soyinka about the extent of his control over the activities of the Pyrate Confraternity, which Soyinka co-founded.
In a video that has gained attention on social media, Dr. Charles asserts that the current generation of Nigerians is prepared to question everything and everyone.
Dr. Charles expressed the frustrations of many Nigerians who are weary of the nation’s corruption and stagnation. He suggested that Soyinka’s silence on these issues might be due to some inhibiting factor. He likened social media to a public restroom, advising those who can’t tolerate its harsh realities to follow the example of President Bola Tinubu, who avoids social media.
He acknowledged Soyinka’s past efforts but declared that his era has ended. He warned that the future holds more than just verbal abuse.
Soyinka’s controversial reputation is partly due to his role in founding the Pyrate Confraternity, also known as the Seadogs, at the University of Ibadan in 1952. This secret society, initially a literary and social club, eventually morphed into a more militant organization. Its members engaged in violent and intimidating activities, leading to its ban from Nigerian universities.
While Soyinka has distanced himself from the Pyrate Confraternity in recent years, some argue that he shares some responsibility for the cultism that plagues Nigerian universities today. This cultism, characterized by extortion, violence, and murder, disrupts academic activities and instills fear in students.
The problem of cultism has extended beyond universities to the streets of Nigeria. Cult members participate in criminal activities such as robbery, kidnapping, and drug trafficking, and have been implicated in political violence and election rigging.
The impact of cultism on Nigeria is profound, leading to numerous deaths and fostering a climate of fear and insecurity.
NN News Media reports that Soyinka had advised Peter Obi, the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate in 2023 election against running in the next presidential election. He described Peter Obi team in a recent interview incompetence to govern Nigeria based on their actions during the last election. These supporters, known as ‘Obidients,’ were particularly active on social media platforms, including X.
