Saturday, August 1, 2026

Peter Obi can say ‘Yes Daddy’ but..: Wole Soyinka

Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka says he sees no qualms in Peter Obi adulating revered cleric, David Oyedepo, so long as the context is right

• April 8, 2023
Peter Obi and Wole Soyinka
Peter Obi and Wole Soyinka

Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka says he sees no qualms in Peter Obi adulating revered cleric, David Oyedepo, so long as the context is right.

Mr Obi, Labour Party presidential candidate in the February 25 election, has been in the eye of the storm since he was exposed for attempting to rally the support of Christians support in central states for a “religious war” on the eve of the election.

In the now viral conversation with Mr Oyedepo, exclusively published by Peoples Gazette, Mr Obi was heard many times answering “yes daddy” as the cleric made enquires.

Mr Obi has denied the said call and threatened to take legal action against The Gazette, but in a statement issued on Friday by Soyinka, he says he sees no qualms with Obi responding to Oyedepo with “Yes, daddy”, seeing as even Catholics “Yes, father” and secularists use “Ehn, Baba”.

“The context and content are what matters, and lies – where established – raise bothersome issues such as Integrity Deficiency,” Mr Soyinka said.

Earlier in the week, Professor Soyinka had called the ‘Obidient’ movement fascist, leading to heavy backlash from supporters of the Labour Party candidates.

We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.

More from Peoples Gazette

farmers

Agriculture

FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology

The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices

Katsina State

Politics

Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku

“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”

Morocco flag

Africa

U.S. reaffirms recognition of Morocco’s sovereignty over Western Sahara

Mr Trump said Washington remained firm in its position on the disputed territory.

Africa

WHO reports largest Ebola outbreak in DR Congo

The WHO said the outbreak had spread to five provinces, affecting 49 health zones, with sustained transmission, rising infections and increasing deaths reported nationwide.

Danny Welbeck

Heading 2

Chelsea sign Danny Welbeck from Brighton

The 35-year-old forward joins the Blues after three seasons with Brighton.

Vice-President Kashim Shettima

NationWide

Reject ethnic profiling, religious hatred, Shettima tells Nigerians

Mr Shettima also called for a renewed national covenant on peace.

Tunde Bakare

Heading 5

Nigeria needs leaders who see public office as sacred trust not personal enterprise: Tunde Bakare

“Leaders who prioritise common good over private gain and have the competence to translate vision into policy, and courage to translate policy into results,” he said.

African Action Congress AAC

States

Osun Poll: AAC condemns debate boycott by APC, Accord, ADC candidates 

Mr Esan said the refusal showed the candidates’ unwillingness to subject themselves to public scrutiny.