Igboanugo Releases Book In Response To Soyinka’s ‘Baiting Igbophobia’

Lagos, Nigeria – Journalist and publisher Sunny Igboanugo has released his new book, “Soyinka’s Metamorphosis: Echoes from ‘The People’s Mandate,’” as a direct response to Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka’s earlier work, “Baiting Igbophobia: The Sunny Igboanugo Thesis.”

Igboanugo’s book, published in the UK, arrived in Nigeria today and marks a significant turning point in the ongoing public debate sparked by Soyinka’s criticism.

In his press statement, Igboanugo details his 33-year career in journalism, highlighting his experiences with the profession’s challenges and his commitment to truth and integrity.

He recounts incidents of near-mob violence, threats, and political persecution, emphasising the difficult reality faced by many journalists in Nigeria.

The crux of Igboanugo’s book, however, lies in his rebuttal to Soyinka’s accusations.

Igboanugo asserts that Soyinka’s book unjustly targeted his Igbo identity, misconstruing his analysis of President Bola Tinubu’s relationship with NADECO and the June 12 struggle.

He argues that Soyinka’s focus on his ethnicity was not only unwarranted but also deeply offensive, contributing to a dangerous trend of stereotyping and scapegoating Ndigbo.

“This book is therefore a PROTEST!” Igboanugo declared. “I am insisting that nobody can take away my Nigerianess.”

He emphasizes that while he recognizes Soyinka’s global stature, he is not seeking to compete but merely to have his voice heard and his story told.

He aims to use his book to reclaim his identity and protest the ongoing marginalization and discrimination against Igbo people in Nigeria.

In addition to this personal rebuttal, Igboanugo’s book also delves into the 2023 general elections, offering his perspective on the presidential race and its outcome.

He claims to have analyzed the events objectively, highlighting the factors that influenced the results and concluding with his own assessment of who he believes won.

Igboanugo’s release of this book promises to further ignite the already heated debate surrounding Soyinka’s previous work.

It is likely to be met with both support and criticism, raising questions about the role of identity politics in Nigerian society, the responsibility of public figures, and the state of journalism in the country.