Igboanugo responds to Soyinka’s critique with a new book, ‘Soyinka’s Metamorphosis: Echoes from The People’s Mandate’
Veteran Nigerian journalist Sunny Igboanugo has released a new book titled ‘Soyinka’s Metamorphosis: Echoes from The People’s Mandate,’ marking his official response to Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka’s earlier publication, ‘Baiting Igbophobia, The Sunny Igboanugo Thesis.’ The book, which Sunday arrived from its publisher in the UK, challenges Soyinka’s interpretation of Igboanugo’s controversial article from September 19, 2023.
In a press statement, Igboanugo—who has practiced journalism for 33 years, from The Guardian to his current role as publisher of Whirlwindnews—explained that his new book is both a personal rebuttal and a broader protest. According to him, while Soyinka’s work engaged with some factual details in his article, it largely veered into a critique of Igboanugo’s Igbo identity, casting his professional perspective through an ethnic lens.
“I was completely aghast when the Prof. took the issue completely out of context and veered into ethnic labelling,” Igboanugo said, explaining that his original article was intended to highlight the close bond between Soyinka and President Bola Tinubu, forged during their days in the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO) and shared struggles for democracy. In his view, their connection inevitably fosters a mutual sense of loyalty.
Igboanugo emphasized that Soyinka’s ethnic framing of his article was unwarranted, insisting that his criticism was rooted in Nigeria’s political landscape rather than ethnic sentiment. “If the sage had descended on me as a person… I would have remained mute and probably continued with my trade the way I know it. But he did not stop at describing my persona… My pain was the attempt by the Prof. to strip me of my identity as a Nigerian and closet me in a purely ethnic straightjacket,” he said.
The book also reflects Igboanugo’s broader commitment to Nigerian unity, arguing against the idea that contributions to national discourse are restricted by ethnicity. For Igboanugo, his protest is personal but reflects a wider issue: the stigmatization of Igbo people within Nigerian political discourse. He hopes his book will “draw global attention to the dangerous trend that has become the lot of Ndigbo today, where they are being deliberately targeted as the culprits to anything that goes wrong in the country.”
In ‘Soyinka’s Metamorphosis,’ Igboanugo explores the key issues surrounding Nigeria’s 2023 presidential election, recounting the events and dynamics that shaped the outcome. He said his book provides an unbiased perspective on the election, offering his take on who truly won. Through this work, Igboanugo stands by his Nigerian identity, insisting that his voice, as well as those of others across Nigeria’s diverse ethnic landscape, deserves to be heard without prejudice.
Reflecting on his career, Igboanugo noted that he has faced numerous challenges due to his stance on sensitive issues. From his early days as a young reporter confronting angry workers in Asaba, to being targeted by a governor who attempted to jail him over unfavorable coverage, Igboanugo said his passion for journalism has never waned. “I beg my creator that should I return to this part of life again, I should be allowed to practice,” he remarked, underscoring his lifelong commitment to his journalism profession.
Igboanugo acknowledged the difference in global stature between him and Soyinka but expressed satisfaction at having told his side of the story. “Let Prof. Wole Soyinka have the world stage, but allow me to have my corner where my voice, no matter how tiny, will be allowed to echo,” he concluded.
‘Soyinka’s Metamorphosis: Echoes from The People’s Mandate,’ is now available, offering readers a view of Igboanugo’s perspective on Nigeria’s shifting political dynamics and the role of identity in national discourse.
