LP chides Soyinka over comments on Obi, Datti

The Labour Party (LP) has chided Nobel Laureate, Wole Soyinka, over his comments on the party's presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and vice-presidential candidate, Datti Baba-Ahmed. Soyinka had accused the LP of trying to hoodwink Nigerians into believing that Obi won the contentious February 25 election. He had also described the "Obidients" movement, which supports Obi, as "repulsive" and "off-putting." The LP leadership, in a statement, said Soyinka's comments were "unfortunate and disappointing." The party said Soyinka had "succumbed to the groupthink syndrome" and was "trying to force a lie" on Nigerians. The LP said Soyinka was "entitled to his opinion," but that his comments were "uninformed and biased." The party said Soyinka was "not living in the real world" and was "out of touch with the pulse of the Nigerian people." The LP said Soyinka's comments were "an attempt to undermine the growing popularity of the Labour Party and its presidential candidate." The party said Soyinka was "trying to discourage Nigerians from voting for Obi." The LP said it was "disappointed" that Soyinka, "a respected elder statesman," would engage in such "malicious" and "unfounded" attacks. The party said Soyinka's comments were "a disservice to the Nigerian people." The LP said it was "confident" that Obi would win the 2023 presidential election, even in the face of "such negative propaganda." The party said it was "committed to building a better Nigeria for all Nigerians." Soyinka has not responded to the LP's statement.