One important quality of that known quantity
Soyinka hasn’t endorsed him.
But he once said something profound
When they were in their Babylon in England
Running from a murderous dictator , tormented by lack in cold London
Many of the activists struggled to survive
Tinubu took responsibility
He emptied his pockets and sold his houses in Lagos
To feed a multitude
Many of those in NADECO, older and richer than Tinubu, must have clutched tightly to the wallets
After all those were rainy days.
Soyinka said Tinubu once begged him to call the PM of Thailand
Soyinka was confused
Tinubu said he should call the man and beg him to loan them a ship load of rice so they can slip it into Nigeria , sell and make profit to sustain the struggle.
While others chanted slogans, Tinubu toyed with money making ideas to keep the struggle from drowning.
When Soyinka returned to Nigeria , people came to welcome him
But as the sun sunk they all retired
But the Tinubus had thought through his welfare
It was Tinubu’s wife who had the presence of mind to buy and keep for him little things like slippers and buckets.
Soyinka might not endorse anyone. He might even endorse someone else.
But when Tinubu was selling his houses to care for the needy activists in London he didn’t have eyes on the presidency.
It was neither tactical giving nor notice-me philanthropy.
He didn’t even know Abacha wouldn’t become a life president
The man is generous.