Soyinka Condemns Seyi Tinubu Escort in a viral video as he warns Tinubu about security excesses and national priorities
Nobel laureate Professor Wole Soyinka has issued a strong warning to President Bola Tinubu after expressing alarm over what he described as an excessive security escort assigned to the President’s son, Seyi Tinubu.
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The remarks, delivered at the 20th Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism Awards in Lagos, revived national debate about privilege, governance and state security priorities.
Professor Wole Soyinka recounted a recent experience at a hotel in Ikoyi, Lagos, where he saw what he called an extravagant military-style escort protecting a young man.
He said he later learnt the convoy belonged to Seyi Tinubu, a discovery that left him deeply uneasy.
The playwright said the scale of the escort prompted him to contact National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu for clarification.
He said he struggled to understand why the child of a head of state would move with what he called a battalion of heavily armed operatives.
Soyinka said such practices distort the purpose of state security and risk entrenching an unhealthy culture of inherited power.
He warned that children of leaders are not elected officials and must not absorb state privileges by proximity.
He urged President Tinubu to reconsider the deployment of security assets around Seyi Tinubu, noting that Nigeria faces severe threats, including kidnappings, rural attacks and insurgent violence.
He joked that the escort was large enough to quell a rebellion but stressed that the issue carries serious implications for fairness and national priorities.
During the event, held in honour of veteran poet Odia Ofeimum and others, Soyinka also turned attention to the media.
He praised journalists for resilience but urged stronger editorial discipline in an era of misinformation.
He said unchecked online rumours could trigger future conflict and called verified journalism a vital shield against chaos.
The viral four-minute, 25-second video of Soyinka’s remarks, shared by #Nigeriastories on X on Tuesday night, had drawn more than 27,000 views by press time.
Soyinka also warned against Nigeria’s involvement in the recently halted coup attempt in the Republic of Benin, describing it as an avoidable military entanglement.
He said instability in neighbouring countries always affects Nigeria and urged focus on democratic consolidation rather than reflex military action.
Turning to domestic matters, Soyinka criticised ongoing demolitions in Lagos.
He said he had received images of displaced families and urged officials to protect dignity during redevelopment efforts.
The video continues to attract widespread discussion on governance and accountability.
The Presidency had not issued any confirmation or response regarding the identity of the individual mentioned in Soyinka’s comments by late Tuesday.
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The remarks came weeks after President Tinubu ordered the withdrawal of police escorts from many VIPs for redeployment to core security duties.
